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WASHmGTO:^-Il{YINE CORHESrOXDENCE 



THE OFFICIAL LETTEES 



PASSED BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND BRIG.-GEN. WILLIAM 
IRVINE AND BETWEEN IRVINE AND OTHERS CON- 
CERNING MILITARY AFFAIRS IN THE 
WEST FROM 1781 TO 1783 



ARRANaED AND ANNOTATED 



WITH AN INTRODUCTION CONTAINING AN OUTLINE OP 

EVENTS OCCURRING PREVIOUSLY IN THE 

TRANS-ALLEGHANY COUNTRY 



ILLUSTRATED 



By C. W. BUTTERFIELD 

w 

Author of " C rawford's Campaign against Sandusky," " History of 

the Discovery of tlie Northwest by John Nicolet" 

and other works 



, ' ,;^' OF CO/i/r>>> 



Madison, Wis. 

DAVID ATWOOD 

1882 



■ WASHING 



^-■^0^ 

<^^"^ 



Copyrighted, 1882, 
By C. W. BUTTEKFIEL1>. 



DAVID ATWOOD, 

ORINTER AND STEREOTYPER, 
MAOJSON-, WIS. 



SJ-(o 



V}- 



PREFACE. 



The correspondence between General Washington as comniander-in-cliief 
of the American army and Brigadier General William Irvine, while the latter 
was in command of the Western Department, headquarters at Fort Pitt, 
Pittsburgh, — a period extending from early in November, 1781, to October 
1, 1783, — is given to the public as a contribution to Revolutionary history, 
having, it is thought, an interest and value as illustrating the most impor- 
tant events which transpired in the west during the last years of the 
struggle of the colonies for independence. The letters in the text which 
follow this correspondence are all either to or from Gen. Irvine: they 
generally relate to military matters in the trans- A.lleghany country and are 
mostly written by officers — civil or military. 

The selection of Gen. Irvine, at a critical period, to take charge of military 
affairs in the west, was a wise one. How his perseverance brought the 
repairs of Fort Pitt so nearly to completion as twice to cause the abandon- 
ment by the enemy of expeditions against it; how, until the close of the 
war, his firmness and urbanity preserved order at Pittsburgh; and how his 
prudence and sagacity gave confidence to the distracted border, and some- 
thing of efficiency to its militia; — will hereafter fully appear. His letters 
are characterized by clearness in descriptions, faithfulness in statements 
and carefulness in details. 

In the introduction as well as in the numerous illustrative notes added 
to the letters which follow it, facts have been given with but little reliance 
upon tradition. Contemporaneous publications and manuscripts have been 
diligently sought for and carefully compared, and the substance of the 
principal events found in them noted; or such extracts made from them as, 
it is believed, would tend to elucidate the various points needing illustration. 
If, therefore, statements are made running counter to some in current his- 
tories of the west, it is not that the latter have been overlooked, but 
because, after due consideration and the closest scrutiny, they have been 
found erroneous. 

It would seem to be an editor's privilege (if, indeed, it is not his duty) 
to correct verbal and grammatical mistakes or inaccuracies, in bringing 



jv Preface. 

forth the letters of a person after his death, written without any design 
of publication; but, in doing this, great caution should be observed that 
the writer's meaning and purpose are not changed or affected. This rule 
has been applied in the following pages. In a few places, words have 
been omitted which, if expressed, might give pain' to living persons. In 
each, the fact of an omission is indicated. 

Several letters written by Irvine to his wife while he was in charge 
of Fort Pitt and its dependencies, have been omitted for reason of their 
referring largely to family affairs; those only being printed which are con- 
sidered of importance in illustrating matters appertaining to the General's 
command in the "Western Department; in explaining his mode of living 
while there; or, in describing the condition of the country and its society. 
Some have also been omitted which were written to Irvine by militia officers 
stationed upon the frontiers, asking for supplies of ammunition and pro- 
visions; giving information as to the marching of their commands to differ- 
ent posts, etc. These, it: is thought, would convey little if any information 
of interest to the reader. A few others have been excluded because of 
their being repetitions in the main, or because of their having no relation 
to events transpiring in the west. 

I must express my high appreciation of the kindness of Lord Derby in 
transmitting through the American Legation in London, copies of letters and 
documents in Her Majesty's State Paper office. They are, in general, 
extravagant in then: estimate of the number of men killed of the Ameri- 
cans under Col. Wm. Crawford, and erroneous as to the intent of the 
borderers; but some of them proved to be of value as illustrative of Gen. 
Irvine's correspondence and as corroborating (and, in some instances, cor- 
recting) American accounts of incidents occurring in the Sandusky country 
during the year 1782. I am hidebted to Dr. Wm. A. Irvine, grandson of 
Gen. Irvine, for much the larger part of the letters appearing in this 
volume and for many favors in connection with their preparation for pub- 
lication. I take pleasure in acknowledging, also, in a special manner, my 
obligations to Mr. Isaac Craig and Mr. Geo. Plumer Smith, for a like generous 
assistance and for valuable suggestions while the work was going through 
the press. My thanks, for kindly aid, are likewise due to Lyman C. Draper, 
LL.D., Dr. Wm. H. Egle, C. C. Baldwin, Esq., and Boyd Crumrine, Esq. 

Madisox, Wisconsin, 1882. C. W. B. 



I 



CONTENTS. 



INTRODUCTION. 

Chap. T. — The West to the Commencement of the Revohition, - 
II. — War Inaugurated upon the Western Border of Penn- 
sylvania knd Virginia. 1776-1777, 
III. — Hostihties Increase upon the Ohio. 1777-1778, - 
IV. — An Expedition Undertaken against Detroit — Its Fail- 
ure. 1778-1779, 

v.— Progress of the Western Border War. 1779-1781, 
VI. — Biographical Sketch of William Irvine, 



Pages. 
1-5 

6-12 
13-20 

21-34 
35-64 
65-70 



WASHINGTON-IRVINE LETTERS, 



Washington to Irvine, 
Irvine to Washington, 
Washington to Jrvine, 
Washington to Irvine, 
Irvine to Washington, 
Washington to Irvine, 
Irvine to Washington, 
Washington to Irvine, 
Irvine to Washington, 
Irvine to Washington, 
Irvine to Washington, 
Irvine to Washington, 
Washington to Irvine, 
Irvine to Washington, 
Irvine to Washington, 
Washington to Irvine, 
Irvine to Washington, 
Washington to Irvine, 
Irvine to Washington, 
Washington to Irvine, 
Irvine to Washington, 
Irvine to Washington, 
Irvine to Washington, 
Washington to Irvine, 
Irvine to V/ashington, 
Washington to Irvine, 



Nov. 1, 1781, - 
Dec. 2, 1781, 
Dec. 18, 1781, - 
Dec. 21, 1781, 
Feb. 7, 1782, - 
March 8, 1782, 
March 17, 1782, 
March 22, 1782, 
April 20, 1782, 
May 2, 1782, 
May 7, 1782, - 
May 21, 1782, 
May 22, 1782, - 
June 16, 1782, 
July 1, 1782, - 
July 10, 1782, 
July 11, 1782, - 
Aug. 6, 1782, 
Oct. 29, 1782, - 
Dec. 11, 1782, 
]\Iarch 6, 1783, 
March 28, 1783, 
April 16, 1783, 
April 16, 1783, 
May 8, 1783, - 
Sept. 16, 1783, 



71 

72 

83 

84 

89 

94 

96 

98 

99 

109 

112 

113 

120 

121 

122 

125 

126 

129 

133 

141 

142 

144 

148 

149 

150 

151 



ri 



Contents. 



APPENDIXES. 

Pages. 

A. — Irvine to the President of Congress, - - - - 153-156 

B. —Correspondence with the Continental Board of War; also with 

the Secretary at War and his Assistant, - - 157-199 
(J. — Correspondence with the Superintendent of Finance, - 200-213 
D.— John Pierce, Paymaster-genera), to Irvine, - - 214-216 
E. — Correspondence with the Deputy and Assistant Quartermaster- 
general, ...-.-- 217-224 
F. —Correspondence with John Moylan, Clothier-general, and 

Jacob S. Howell, his Deputy, - - - - 225-228 

G. — Correspondence with the Governors of Pennsylvania, - 229-265 

H. — Correspondence with Benj. Harrison, Governor of Virginia, 266-271 

1. — William Davies, Virginia Secretary at War, to Irvine, - 272-276 
J. — Correspondence with the Lieutenant of Washington County, 

Pennsylvania, .-_--. 277-320 

K. — Correspondence with the Lieutenant of Westmoreland County, 

Pennsylvania, ------ 321-339 

L. — Irvine to his Wife, 340-348 

M. — Miscellaneous Correspondence, - - - - 349-423 

Index, 425-430 



THE WASHINGTON AND lEVINE POETEAITS. 

The portrait of Washington in this work is from a Stuart picture ; that of 
Irvine, from an "oil painting by B. Otis, after one by Robert Edge Pine, an 
eminent English artist, who came to America in 1784. The original was 
taken in New York, when Ii-vine was a member of Congress — aged forty- 
eight. 



WASHINGTON-IRYINE CORRESPONDENCE. 



INTRODUCTION. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE WEST TO THE COMMENCEMENT OP THE REVOLUTION. 

The vast extent of country lying between tlie Alleghany 
mountains on the east, the MississijDpi on the west, and bor- 
dered by the great lakes on the north, was first explored by 
Frenchmen, and to a very limited extent occupied by them. 
They had here their forts, trading-posts, and missions, — few 
in number it is true, yet sufficiently numerous to exert a pow- 
erful influence over the Indians, whom they usually endeavored 
to conciliate and attach to their interest. France, therefore, 
by right of discovery as well as by occupation, claimed, as 
against the civilized world, this region as her own. But French- 
men soon had rival claimants to the trans-Alleghany country. 
England, through her colonies, coveted the goodly land. In the 
very nature of things, a contest for supremacy could not long 
be postponed. By proclamations and perishing inscriptions, as 
well as by the erection of military posts, France sought to estab- 
lish firmly the Alleghanies as the eastern boundary of her posses- 
sions, while English enterprise not only carried a nominal 
occuj)ation into the Ohio valley but pushed the fur-trader far 
beyond it. England demanded explanations for French en- 
croachments. France answered with menaces and increased 
exertions to gain a permanent foot-hold in the Ohio region. 
Hostilities commenced and continued until, in 1755, war was 
fully inaugurated. France at first was victorious. Braddock's 
defeat was a humiliating blow to Great Britain and her Amer- 
ican colonies. However, in the end, Wolfe and Amherst con- 
c[uered Canada, and French domination in North America was 
almost wholly overthrown. 
1 



Washingtorv-Irvine Correspondence. 



Although possession of a large portion of the country north- 
wrest of the Ohio v/as yielded to England by France in 17G0, 
yet no title to this extensive region had been acquired of its 
Indian occupants, who sullenly acquiesced in the change. They 
had been the close and trusted allies of the French, but the 
triumph of English arms caused them to make peace with the 
conquerors — a peace prompted more by fear than friendship. 
Indifference and neglect of the British government, outrages 
of fur-traders, brutality of English soldiery, intrusion of pro- 
vincial settlers upon lands of border tribes, fabrications and 
wiles of French trading-companies — all conspired to arouse 
their war-spirit. Their leader was Pontiac, a war-chief of the 
Ottawas. Every English post west of Niagara and the Alle- 
ghanies fell a prey to savage fury, Ligonier, Fort Pitt (Pitts- 
burgh), and Detroit, only excepted. The western frontiers were, 
as in the previous war, overrun with merciless foes. But 
England and her colonies soon conquered tlie Indians, dictating 
preliminary treaties of peace to them in 1764, which were com- 
pleted not long afterward. For the 2iext ten years, there was 
as much quiet along the Ohio as could have been expected 
• from the presence of savages upon one side of the river and 
,the rapid approach of white settlers to the other. 

At the close of Pontiac's war, there were not to be found any 
settlements in the upper Ohio country. Up and down the 
Monongahela and its branches every white settler had been 
Bxpelled. From the headsprings of the Alleghany to its union 
with its sister stream, there were no habitations other than of 
savages. At the junction of these rivers, where the city of 
Pittsburgh now sits enveloj)ed in the smoke of its thousand in- 
dustries, there was very little to indicate the presence of civili- 
zation save Fort Pitt. Outside that post, there was not an 
inhabited hut of even a trader. Down the Ohio on the left 
was an uninhabited region; so, also, on the right — up the 
Beaver, the Muskingum, the Scioto, and down the parent 
stream to its mouth. Settlements upon the waters of the 
Monongahela by adventurous Virginians, begun before the com- 
mencement of the contest between England and France for the 
Ohio country, had but an ephemeral existence. Houses and 



Introduction. 



cornfields of Eiiij'lisli traders, which then dotted the margin of 
the Ohio and its tributaries in a few phxces, were destroyed by 
the French in this war for supremacy; and tliough others after- 
ward appeared, nearly all vanished before the devastating hand 
of the foe in 1763. Pittsburgh, dating its origin from English 
occupation of the head of the Ohio in 1758, attained, by the 
spring of 1761, to the dignity of a population numbering three 
hundred and thirty-two, occupying one hundred and four houses. 
Doubtless both had considerably increased by May, 1763, when 
most of its log cabins were leveled to the ground, and the 
occupants of all driven into the fort for protection against the 
wild warriors of Pontiac's confederation. 

!N"otwith standing the kin^ of England's proclamation of 
1763, prohibiting colonial governors from granting warrants 
for lands to the westward of the sources of the rivers runninsr 
into the Atlantic, and forbidding all persons purchasing such 
lands or settling on them without special license from the crown, 
emigration two years thereafter broke through the barriers of 
the Alleghanies, rolling into the valley of the Ohio from that 
time forward with a resistless tide; so that the purpose of roy- 
alty in limiting settlements to the east side of the mountains — 
whether to set bounds to the aspirations of the colonies or a 
temporary expedient to quiet the minds of the Indians — was 
signally frustrated. In 1765, Pittsburgh again started — this 
time upon a permanent but not rapid career to prosperity 
and greatness. Emigrants to the Ohio valley were, generally, 
either such as came to secure fertile and cheap lands, or they were 
traders with the Indians. The former class was looked upon by 
the various tribes claiming the country, as trespassers; and it 
was the policy of the home government as well as Pennsylvania so 
to treat them. Those who came to cultivate the soil were largely 
from Yirginia, but the traders were mostly Pennsjdvanians. 

Two principal highways were followed in coming over the 
mountains : the northern route was known as Forbes', or the 
Pennsylvania road; the southern, as Braddock's, or the Yirginia 
road. Parties from Maryland or Yirginia in emigrating to the 
Ohio country, traveled the last mentioned |-oute. Settlements 
soon extended. In 1768, the Indian title to a considerable 



Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 



portion of western Pennsylvania, east and soutli of the Alle- 
ghany and Ohio rivers, was purchased, leaving, however, it and 
much more in dispute as between the Penns and Yirginia, while 
large tracts were claimed by individuals under grants from 
3ome of the Indian tribes. These grants needed confirmation' 
by the crown to be valid. 

Pittsburgh grew slowly. About twenty houses, and these 
occupied by traders, were all that the place could boast of in 
1770. The number increased, however, in the next two years to 
thirty. Probably not less than fifty constituted the town at 
the commencement of 1774. From Fort Pitt, far up the Mo- 
nongahela and along many of its branches, were settlements. 
Upon eastern tributaries of the Ohio, and down that stream for 
more than one hundred miles were to be seen cabins of frontier- 
men; but not a single settler had yet ventured across that river. 
Small cultivated fields broke in upon the monotony of the wil- 
derness for a short distance up the east side of the Alleghany 
from Pittsburgh, while toward the mountains, Forbes' road was, 
in general, the northern limit of civilized habitations. 

Augusta county, Yirginia, at the beginning of 1774, com- 
prehended not only the whole of the northwestern portion of 
the present state of West Yirginia, but also a large part of 
what is now southwestern Pennsylvania including Pitsburgh; 
that is, such was then the claim of Yirginia. On the other 
hand, Westmoreland county had been formed the year previ- 
ous by Pennsylvania, to include all of that state, as at present 
constituted, west of the Laurel Hill. This conflict of juris- 
diction caused serious trouble. The southern line of Pennsyl- 
vania had not been extended farther to the westward than a 
short distance beyond the Mouongahela, and it was not till ten 
years subsequent to this date that it was finally completed. 

The county-seat of Westmoreland county was Hannastown, 
about thirty-five miles from Pittsburgh on Forbes' road, where 
(and at Ligonier still further eastward) Pennsylvania inter- 
ests were paramount. In many of the other settlements, the 
citizens were largely in sympathy with Yirginia. However, 
across the Alleghany and Ohio, in the Indian country, the in- 
fluence of the fur-traders was the leading one v/ith the various 



Introduction. 



tribes. These dealers dreaded above all things an Indian war. 
Most of them lived in the northern settlements, especially at 
or near Pittsburgh — the principal depot west of the moun- 
tains for Indian supplies. 

In 1774, the Yirginia county of Fincastle included, soutli 
and southwest of Augusta county, the lower portions of the 
valley of the Great Kanawha and extended westward so as to 
comprehend the whole of the present state of Kentucky, but 
no where crossed the Ohio. All was, however, uninhabited. 
It was only that part of the county lying to the eastward of 
this that was settled. The presence of Virginia and Pennsyl- 
vania laTid-claimants and surveyors, along the Ohio in 1773, and 
in the spring of the next year, j^recipitated hostilities with 
the Shawanese and Mingoes, whose observance of the peace 
of 1764 had been far from cordial, especially toward the citi- 
zens of Yirginia. Lord Dunmore's war ensued. Wakatomica, 
an Indian town located uj)on the Muskingum, was destroyed 
by the Yirginians, with out-ljing villages. The battle of Point 
Pleasant, at the mouth of the Great Kanawha river, on the 
tenth of October, 1774, when victory over the savages was pur- 
chased at a price well-nigh commensurate with defeat, compelled 
the Indians to sue for peace, negotiations for which, near their 
villages on the banks of the Scioto, were rendered famous by 
the eloquent speech of Logan, the Mingo chief. 

The day of the revolution now began to dawn. Quickly, 
after the battle of Lexington, were the fires of patriotism 
lighted west of the mountains. The hearts of many of the 
backwoodsmen were soon aglow with enthusiasm for the cause 
of liberty. On the sixteenth of May, 1775, conventions were 
held at Pittsburgh and Hannastown for citizens to give ex- 
pression to their views and sentiments regarding the acts of 
the mother country, and to take initiatory steps toward provid- 
ing for the common defense. The boundary troubles for the 
time were forgotten. In the fall, a number of frontiermen en- 
listed for Yirginia service. The commencement of 1776 found 
the trans-Alleghany settlements not greatly behind the sea- 
board in their determination to repel, by force of arms, aggres- 
sions of parliament and the king. 



Washingtoii-Irvine Corresj^ondeiice. 



CHAPTEE II. 

WAR INAUGURATED UPON THE WESTERN BORDER OF PENN- 
SYLVANIA AND VIRGINIA. 1776-1777. ; 

At the commencement of the struggle of the colonies for in- 
dependence, the scattered settlements to the westward of the 
AUeffhanies had little to fear from invadino; armies of Great 
Britain. Their dread was of a more merciless foe. ISTor were 
tlieir apprehensions groundless; for the Indians of the north- 
west, influenced by British gold and the machinations of English 
traders and emissaries, early gave evidence of hostile intentions. 
Explanations by the United States, made in 1775 and 1776, to 
some of the tribes at treaties held with them at Pittsburgh, that 
the questions in dispute did not necessarily affect their interests, 
were to little purpose. Gradually they arrayed themselves 
against the Americans, the more remote nations being the first 
to attach themselves to the British. Painted and plumed war- 
riors soon carried destruction and death to the dismayed frontiers, 
— the direct result of a most ferocious policy, adopted by Eng- 
land in opposition to the advice of some of her best and ablest 
statesmen, — " letting loose," in the language of Chatham, " the 
horrible hell-hounds of savage war " upon the exposed settle- 
ments. 

The deadly strife tlms begun, was made up on the side of the 
Indians largely of predatory incursions of scalping parties, the 
tomahawk and scalping-knife sparing neither age nor sex, while 
the torch laid waste the homes of the unfortunate bordermeu. 
It is difficult fully to appreciate the appalling dangers which beset 
the frontiers ; for, to the natural ferocity of the savages, there was 
added the powerful support of Great Britain, lavish in her re- 
sources, whose western agents, especially at the commencement 
of the war, were noted for their zeal in obeying the behests of 
their government. 

The principal point of British power and influence in the. 



Introduction. 



northwest was Detroit, where Lieutenant-Governor Henry Ham- 
ilton, who paid a bounty for scalps, but withheld it for prison- 
ers,^ was in command. Being captured by Yirginians early in 
1779, he was succeeded before the close of that year by Major A. 
S. De Peyster, who, although carrying out the policy of his gov- 
ernment, did so in the spirit of an enlightened humanity? In- 
dian depredations upon the western frontier of Virginia^ and 
Pennsylvania, and in the infant settlements of Kentucky,'* drew, 
to a great extent, their inspiration from that post. It was there 
the Wyandots, from its immediate vicinity and from the San- 
dusky — a river flowing north into Sandusky bay — were en- 
listed in the interests of Great Britain. It was there these 
Indians, and the Shawanese from the Miami and Scioto rivers — 
northern tributaries of the Ohio — received aid to pillage and 
destroy. And it was there that these and other tribes were 
made close allies of the English, and then turned loose upon the 
exposed settlements of the west. These they assailed with an 

' " Governor Hamilton gave standing rewards for scalps, but offered none for prisoners, 
which induced the Indians, after making their captives carry their baggage into the 
iieighbuihood of the fort [Detroit], tliere to put them to death." — Va. Council, 16 June, 
1779. " When we arrived there [on the bank of the Detroit river], we found Governor 
Hamilton, and several other British officers, who were standing and sitting around. Im- 
mediately the Indians produced a large quantity of scalps; the cannon fired; 

the Indians raised a shout; and the soldiers waved their hats, with huzzas and tremen- 
dous shrieks, which lasted some time. This ceremony being ended, the Indians brought 
forward a parcel of Ameiican prisoners, as a trophy of their victories ; among whom vv'ere 
eighteen women and children, poor creatures, dreadfully mangled and emaciated, with 
their clothes tattered and torn to pieces in such a manner as not to liide their nakedness ; 
their legs bare and streaming with blood, the effects of being torn with thorns, briers, and 

brush If I had had an opportunity, I should certainly have killed the Governor, 

who seemed to take great delight in the exhibition." — Leeth's Narrative, pp. 10, 11. 
This Is an exceedingly rare production ; so rare, indeed, that the pamphlet entire, which is 
now before me, has only been obtained by gathering three distinct parts of it, from as 
many states. 

2 "De Peyster got above three hundred prisoners out of the hands of the Indians." (See 
*' Miscellanies " of that officer, p. 346, note). 

3 By " the western frontier of Virginia" is meant — and the words are used with that 
signification in the following pages — no farther to the westward than the Ohio, nor to 
the southwcstward than the mouth of the Great Kanawha, although the claims of Vir- 
ginia, at that date, included the whole of Kentucky, and, before the close of the revolu- 
tion, the Illinois country also ; but, by her deed of cession to the Unitea States of 1781, and 
by the admission of Kentucky into the Union in 1793, and that of West Virginia in 1S63, 
she was reduced to her present limits. 

*The few settlements in Kentucky experienced, during the revolution, all the horrors 
of savage warfare ; but a consideration of the events transpiring there during that period, 
closely connected as some of theni were with incidents upon the western borders of 
Pennsylvania and Virginia, is beyond the scope proposed for this work. 



Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 



indiscriminate tliirst for blood that could seldom be restrained, 
even under the humane authority of De Peyster. 

The important post, however, of Fort Pitt was in possession of 
the Americans; and it continued the center of government au- 
thority and interest west of the Alleghanies durijig the revolu- 
tionary contest. The peculiar nature of the war in the trans- 
Alleghany country made it incumbent on the oflScers of the pa- 
triot army in charge of affairs there to direct, so long as the 
struggle continued, their military operations almost wholly with 
a view to the security of the exposed settlements. To this end, 
expeditions several times marched into the enemy's country, gen- 
erally organizing at Fort Pitt, or receiving material aid from 
that post. These enterprises were not always successful. Some, 
indeed, were highly disastrous, l^or were the British and their 
Indian allies usually more fortunate in their principal endeavors 
against the frontiers. It was the continual inroads of small 
numbers of savages, though the latter were frequently pursued, 
and a just retribution was occasionally visited upon them, that 
brouo;ht to the homes of the backwoodsmen innumerable woes. 



On the eleventh day of September, 1775, Captain John ]^e- 
ville^ took possession, under orders of Virginia, of the dilapidated 
fort at Pittsburgh,^ at the head of one hundred of the militia of 
that commonwealth, and held it, '• covering and protecting " the 
border until early in 1777, when his force was relieved by an- 
other company.^ At the time orders were issued to garrison 
Fort Pitt, a small force was directed to occuj)y Fort Fincastle, 
at the mouth of "Wlieeling creek,* and one was also ordered sta- 
tioned at Point Pleasant, at the mouth of the Great Kanawha 
river.^ Fort Pitt, near which, previous to its commencement 
by the English in 1758, was Fort Duquesne of the French, 

> Neville was boru in Virginia, in 1731 ; died near Pittsburgh, S9th July, 1803. 

s Peun. Arch., IV, 659. Henning's Va. Stat., vol. 9, p. 13. Craig's Hist, ol Pittsburgh. 
p. 122. 

8 It was resolved by the Virginia Council, Feb. 7, 1777, that " Col. Dorsey Pentecost, 
lieutenant of Yohogania county, Virijinia [then the Virginia county which included 
Pittsburgh, as claimed by that state], raise one hundred militia to garrison Fort Pitt; 
and that Capt. Robert Campbell, 1st Lieut. Thad. KcUey, 2d Lieut. Wm. Anderson, and 
Ensign John Ward, with their [that] Yohogania company, arc to command there." 

•• Now the site of the city of Wheeling, West Virginia. 

•Within the present county of Mason, West Vii-ginia. 



Introduction. 9 



was abandoned and partly demolished by the British in 1772, 
but was again occupied in 1774, in a partisan way, by Yirgiuia 
militia, to enforce in the vicinit}'- the laws of that province, and 
its name changed to Fort Dunmore. This occupation, however, 
was brought to an end in July, 1775, and the name fully restored 
when Lord Dunmore became odious to Virginia patriots. 

The Indian policy of I^eville, while in command at Fort Pitt, 
was one of strict neutrality, powerles?, however, to a great extent 
with all the western tribes, except the Delawares, These Indi- 
ans were j^rincipally located upon the Muskingum.^ Their most 
important village was Coshocton.^ In holding this nation in 
check, he was 2:)owerf ully aided by George Morgan, congressional 
agent of Indian affairs of " the middle department " ® in the west, 
also by commissioners of the United States, who made treaties 
with the^n, and by Moravian missionaries, who had brought 
Indian converts from the Susquehanna and Beaver rivers, in 
Pennsylvania, to the Tuscarawas valley, where they were living 
in towns some distance above Coshocton, on the Tuscarawas 
river. 

Although Hamilton, at Detroit, had, as early as September, 
1776, exerted himself to organize small parties of savages against 
the " ' scattered settlers on the Ohio ' and its branches," yet 
the war upon the western border was not fully inaugurated 
for nearly a year after. But the frontiers of Yirgiuia, 
meanwhile, were sorely afflicted with savage incursions, 
mostly by a lawless gang of the Mohawk Pluggy, located 
upon the Olentangy, or Whetstone, the principal eastern trib- 
utary of the Scioto, some distance above its confluence with 
that stream.* This band was without tribal orcranization and 



'This river was known as the Mnskingum as far up as the mouth of Sandy creek, its 
main eastern afHuent, for several years after that date. It is now called the Tuscarawas 
as far down as the mouth of the Walhonding, or White Woman, its chief western tribu- 
tary, and is so distinguished in the following pages. 

'Synonyms: Cooshacking, Coochocking, Goshochking, Goschachguenk, etc. It was 
the site of the present town of Coshocton, county-seat of Coshocton county, Ohio. 

2 Such was the designation of one of three Indian departments previously created hy 
congress. It included the country west of the Alleghanies. This region, as one of the 
military divisions of the United States, was known as the "western department" during 
the revolution. 

■*The site of Phiggy's town was identical with that of the present town of Delaware, 
Delaware county, Ohio. For determining its location, I have relied mainly upon an 



10 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 



marauded upon the border settlements independent of sur- 
rounding nations. So galling did these visitations become that 
the distressed commonwealth, upon the recommendation of con- 
gress, determined, in the spring of 1777, to send an expedition 
ao-ainst Pluggy's town; but the project, after considerable prep- 
aration, -svas laid aside lest it should cause the Delawares and 
Shawanese to take up the hatchet. 

On Sunday, the first day of June, 1777, Brigadier General 
Edward Hand of the continental armj, " famed for his splen- 
did liorsemanship," arrived at Fort Pitt unaccompanied by- 
troops,^ except an escort of militia light liorse,^ which had met 
him west of the mountains, and assumed the chief command at 
Pittsburgh.^ Not long after his arrival. Hand resolved upon 
an expedition against the savages, — seemingly a timely move- 
ment, for up to the last of July tliere had been sent out from 
Detroit to devastate the western settlements, fifteen parties of 
Indians, consisting of two hundred and eighty-nine braves, with 
thirty white officers and rangers. The extreme fi'ontier line 
needing protection on the north reached from the Alleghany 
mountains to Kittanning'' on the Alleghany river forty-five miles 
above Pittsburgh, thence on the w^est, down that stream and 
the Ohio to the mouth of the Great Kanawha. The only posts 
of importance below Fort Pitt, at this date, were Fort Henry ^ 
at Wheeling, and Fort Randolph at Point Pleasant: ® the former 
was built at the commencement of Lord Diinmore's war in 1774; 
the latter was erected by Virginia, in 1775. Rude stockades 
and block houses were multiplied in the intervening distances 
and in the most exposed settlements. They w'ere defended by 

authentic copy of James Wood's MS. journal of a visit to tlie western tribes, in 1775. 
I have before me an original letter of 1779, written by Killbuclv, a Delaware chief, lo 
Col. Daniel Brodhead, also throwing light upon the subject. Geo. Morgan (llildreth's 
Pion. nist., p. 110) simply locates the place upon the upper waters of the Scioto. All 
other printed authorities which have fallen under my notice, are equally vague. 

1 Francis Duiilavy's declaration for a pension — 18:12: MS. copy. The original is one 
of the completest on lile in tlie pension olTlce relating to revolutionary service. 

2 Hand to liis wife, from Pittsburgh, 4 June, 1777, MS. 

3 Hand's garrison was of a mi.\ed nature— regulars, independents, and militia.— Dun- 
lavy's declaration for a pension, MS. 

* Where is now located the town of that name, county-scat of Armstrong county, 
Pennsylvania. 

' Formerly Port Fincastlc. 

«The site of the present town of Point Pleasant, Mason county. West Virginia 



Introduction. 11 



small detacliinents from a Yirginia regiment,^ also by at least 
one independent company,^ and by squads of militia on short 
tours of duty. Scouts likewise patrolled the country where 
danger seemed most imminent. But the wily savage fre- 
quently eluded their vigilance and fell with remorseless cruelty 
upon the homes of the bordermen. The suffering from this 
irregular warfare — legitimate from the stand-point of the 
Indian, but Avanton and murderous in its instigators — was 
terrible. 

It was the belief of General Hand that nothing but pene- 
trating the country of the savages and destroying the settle- 
ments of the "• perfidious miscreants " could " prevent the de- 
population of the frontiers." ^ The AVyandots, and particularly 
the Mingoes — Pluggy's-town Indians — were the most trouble- 
some. A demand by the Fort Pitt comiTiander of two thou- 
sand men from the western counties of Pennsylvania and Yir- 
ginia, to attack these enemies, was not responded to with alac- 
rity, although eight hundred men were embodied including 
regulars at Forts Pitt and Randolph.* " I have many difficul- 
ties," wrote Hand to a friend, " to encounter; yet I hope to 
drink your health in pure element at Sandusky before Christ- 
mas." ^ Late in the autumn, having been deceived as to the 
strength and spirit of the people, he abandoned the expedition. 
" I fully expected," he wrote, " to be able to give the Wyandots 
a specimen of what their perfidy so justly deserves; but, to my 
great mortificntion, I am obliged to relinquish the design."* 
There was a lack both of men and supplies. One reason for 
the failure was a want of concert between General Hand and 
the lieutenants and militia officers of the border counties of 



1 The Thirteentli Virginia, usually called, at that time, the West Augusta regiment. 

2 Capt. Sam. Moorhead's independent company of Pennsylvania troops. 

3 Hand to Sup. Ex. Council of Pa., 34 Julj, 1777, in Penn. Arch., V, 443. 
^ Hand to Washington, 9 Nov. 1777, MS. 

5 Hand to Wm. Russell, 14 Oct., 177V, MS. The General, in using the term " at San- 
dusky," meant, at the Wyandot Indian town of Upper Sandusky, then located upon the 
upper waters of the Sandusky river, in what is now Wyandot county, Ohio. 

" Hand to the governor of Va., 9 Nov., 1777, MS. Extensive preparations had been 
made for this, the first expedition projected in the west against Sandusky. It was ap- 
parently the intention of Hand to have attacked the Pluggy's town Indians as well as 
the Wyandots. 



X2 Washingtoii^Irvine Correspondence. 

Virginia and Pennsylvania.^ Another element militating 
ao-ainst unity of action was the existence of the boundary con- 
troversy between the two states. Although at the beginning 
of trouble with the mother country this had been suffered to 
slumber, and althougli delegates in congress had early in the 
svar urged the people of the disputed territory to mutual for- 
bearance, it again stirred up partisan hatred, stifling in a greater 
or less degree many patriotic resolutions of the borderers, to 
the detriment of the western country generally. The most, 
therefore, that Hand coidd accomj)lish was, a partial protection 
of the settlements by acting on the defensive only. " If I can 
assist the inhabitants to stand their ground," he wrote, '' I shall 
deem myself doing a great deal." ^ 

1 A distinction is properly drawn between tlie lieutenants of tlie various counties of 
these two states and tlie officers of tlie militia therein. The former were appointed 
by the respective commonwealths and had control of, and general supervision over, 
military atTairs of the county wherein each resided. They received the title of col- 
onel. Under their orders were the ofUcers of the various battalions of militia in the 
diflferent counties. 

''Hand to his wife, 2 Nov., 1777, MS. It had been General Hand's intention to as- 
semble his forces at Fort Randolph, marching thence across the Ohio into the enemy's 
country (Withers" Border Warfare, pp. 151, 152); and several companies of Virginia 
militia reached that post for the intended expedition. Hand afterward dropped down 
the river to the fort, but " without an army, and without provisions for those who had 
been awaiting his coming. It was then determined to abandon the expedition."— lb. 
p. 155. 



Introduction. 13 



CHAPTER III. 
HOSTILITIES INCREASE UPON THE OHIO. 1777-1778. 

About the time General Hand commenced his labors to or- 
ganize an expedition against the savages, the Mingoes upon the 
Scioto, and the Wyandots upon the Sandusky, with a few Shaw- 
anese and Delawares, began the laying of a scheme to capture 
Fort Henry. On the first day of September,^ tliat post was 
beset by about two hundred Indians,^ the first attempt of the 
savages against this frontier, in force, after the commencement 
of the war in the west The assailants, having successfully am- 
bushed a portion of the garrison, withdrew across the Ohio 
with a trifling loss.^ Fifteen of the Americans were killed, and 
five wounded.^ On the twenty-sixth of the same month, forty- 
six men started from Fort Henry on a reconoitering expedition 
down the Ohio. The next day, on their return, when about 
eight miles below Wheeling, on the A^irginia side of the river, 
they were attacked by forty "Wyandots.^ Twenty-one were 
killed, several wounded,® and one captured. '^ The whole region 
west of the mountains, because of these disasters and the en- 
forced evacuation of the small post at Kittanning,^ was now 

1 David Shepherd to Hand, from Fort Henry, 3 Sept., 1777, MS. John Gibson to same, 
4 Sept., 1777, MS. Hand to Russell, 14 Oct., 1777, MS. 

!"' Between two and three hundred:" Shepherd to Hand, 15 Sept., 1777, MS. "Two 
hundred and ten warriors:" White Eyes to Geo. Morgan, 23 Sept., 1777, MS. 

3 " One killed and nine wounded:" David Zeisberger to Hand, 22 Sept., 1777, MS. 

< Shepherd to Hand, 15 Sept., 1777, MS. 

5 Zeisberger to Hand, 23 Sept., 1777, MS. 

« Shepherd to Hand, 27 Sept., 1777, MS. John Van Matre to Ed. Cook, 28 Sept., 1777, 
MS. Daniel McFarland to Hand, 30 Sept., 1777, MS. James Chew to same, 3 Oct., 1777; 
MS. Hand to his wife, 9 Oct., 1777, MS. 

'His name was Jacob Pugh. Compare Hildreth's Pion. Hist., 128; also DeHass' Hist. 
Ind. Wars W. Va., 279. This ill-starred expedition is known in western border annals 
as "Foreman's Defeat." 

8" Being convinced that, in your present situation, you are not able to defend your- 
self, much less to render the continent any service, you will v.'ithdraw from Kittanuing, 
bringing everything away, portable, leaving the houses and barracks standing:" Hand 
to Capt. Samuel Moorhead, 14 Sept., 1777, MS. The place was occupied by troops for 
the first time in the spring of that year. There were then only a few cabins at that 
point. Fort Armstrong was afterward built there. 



IJl. Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

thoroughly alarmed. Many feared the Alleghanies would again 
become the western frontier line of the settlements. "We 
have no prospects," wrote a citizen of the Avestern department, 
" but desolation and destruction." " There are very few days," he 
continued, " that there is not a murder committed on some part 
of our frontiers." ^ 

The Shawanese Indians, whose villages were upon the Scioto 
and Miami, and whose principal chief was Cornstalk,^ did not 
readily join the Wyandots and Mingoes in their hostility to the 
Americans. ^ Farther removed from British intrigue at Detroit, 
and influenced by the neutral Delawares, it was not until the 
autumn of 1777, that a majority of the nation resolved to unite 
with tlieir neighbors against the border. But Cornstalk and 
his clan remained friendly. Anxious to .promote peace, two of 
his warriors came to Captain Matthew Arbuckle, then in com- 
mand at Fort Randolph, making inquiries and professing friend- 
ship. These were detained by the commandant, who feared they 
were spies. ^ Afterward, Cornstalk himself came. He, too, was 
dejDrived of his liberty. " I am well satisfied," wrote Arbuckle, 
"the Shawanese are all our enemies."^ On the tenth of !No- 
vember, the four Indians — for Cornstalk's son was then with 
them — were killed in cold blood by the uncontrollable militia 
at the post, in revenge for the death of one of their number, 
slain that day in the woods by a hostile savage.® "From this 
event," wrote General Hand, " we have little reason to expect a 
reconciliation with the Shawanese."' They proved, finally, the 
most unrelenting of foes. 

In January, 1778, Lieutenant-Colonel George Rogers Clark, 
who had planned a secret expedition against the Illinois country, 

' Archibald Lochry to Sup. Ex. Council of Pa., 4 Nov., 177", in Penn. Arch., V, 741. 

2 Cornstalk commanded Uie Indians at the batUe of Point Pleasant, 10 Oct., 1774, and 
was foremost in the treaty with Lord Dunmore soon after, on the banks of the Scioto. 

s " Two tribes of the Shawanese declare for us; two are against us:" Hand to Jasper 
Yeates, 12 July, 1777, MS. "The neutral portion are wavering:" Arbuckle to Wm. 
Flcmming, ao July, 1777, original letter. 

■•Arbuckle to Hand, 6 Oct., 1777, MS. 

"Sanje to same, 7 Nov., 1777, MS. 

• Aftidavit of Jno. Anderson and others, 10 Nov., 1777, MS. Hand to Geo. Morgan, 24 
Dec, 1777, AIS.; also to the continental board of war of same date, MS. The militia 
were of those intended for Hand's expedition against Sandusky. 

' Hand to the continental board of war, 24 Dec, 177T, MS., just cited. 



Introduction. 15 



then in possession of England, arrived in the western depart- 
ment to enlist .soldiers for the enterprise. By the end of the 
month, he had all his recruiting parties properly disposed, and 
at Redstone-old-fort, ^ he prepared boats, light artillery and 
ammunition. Many of the backwoodsmen opposed the under- 
taking; and he only succeeded in collecting, with some aid east 
of the mountains, about one hundred and fifty men, when, on 
the twelfth of May, he " set sail for the falls " of the Ohio, 
" leaving the country," he wrote, "in great confusion — much 
distressed by the Indians." " General Hand," he added, " pleased 
with my intentions, furnished me with every necessary I want- 
ed." ^ He was re-enforced on his way down the river by a small 
number of troops at Fort Randolph. His men were mostly 
Yirginians, and all were in the Yirginia service. The result of 
the campaign was, the reduction of the British posts between 
the Ohio and Mississippi rivers — Kaskaskia, St. Phillips, Ca- 
hokia, Prairie du Pocher, and Yincennes; — a conquest, as it 
proved, of great importance to the United States, reflecting also 
much credit upon Virginia. The commander of the expedi- 
tion won for himself the title of "The Heroic." 

In February, 1778, General Hand, having previously received 
intelligence that a quantity of stores was lodged by the British 
at an Indian town on the Cuyahoga river,^ formed a project for 
capturing them.* Gathering a party of about live hundred 
men at Fort Pitt, mostly from Westmoreland county, ^ he pro- 
ceeded on the exj)edition. But heavy rains falling, and the 
snows of winter melting, he was obliged to relinquish his design, 
after having arrived at a point a considerable distance above the 
mouth of Beaver, on the Mahoning river.® Just at this place, 
Indian tracks were discovered, conjectured to be of warriors on 
a marauding expedition into the settlements. These were fol- 

* Now Brownsville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania. 

'Clark to Geo. Mason, 19 Nov., 1779, in Clark's Campaign in the Illinois (Cincinnati; 
Robert Clarke & Co., 1869), p. 25. 

'This stream flows into Lake Erie at the city of Cleveland, Ohio. 

< Hand to Wm. Crawford, 28 Dec., 1777, and 5 Feb., 1778, in The Washington-Crawford 
Letters (Cincinnati: Robert Clarke & Co., 1877), pp. 66, 67. 

*That is to say, from the territory acknowledged to be Westmoreland county by Vir- 
ginia, at that date. Gen. Hand, in his correspondence, recognized residents of the ter- 
ritory claimed by Virginia, as Virginians. 

» The point reached was in the present Mahoning connty, Ohio. 



16 Washington-Irvine Corresjpondence. 

lowed to a camp, " supposed to contain between fifty and sixty 
Indians," which was immediately attacked; "but, to my great 
mortification," wrote the commander, " only one man, with some 
women and children, was found." The Indian and one of tlie 
squaws were killed. "Another woman was taken," adds the 
chagrined and thoroughly disgusted general, "and with diffi- 
culty saved; the remainder escaped."^ The prisoner reported 
that ten Monsey Indians — Delawares — were making salt about 
ten miles further up the Mahoning. ^ A detachment was sent 
to secure them. This enterprise proved even more inglorious 
than the first. The enemy " turned out to be four women and 
a bov," wrote Hand, " of whom one woman only was saved." 
" In performing these great exploits," are the felicitious words 
of the commander, " I had but one man — a captain — wounded, 
and one drowned," ^ This, the first expedition in force to march 
into the Indian country from Pittsburgh after the war began, 
was long remembered in the west as " the squaw campaign." 

At the very time, in 1777, when the hostility of the Wyan- 
dots could no longer be a matter of doubt upon the border, 
news was brought across the Ohio by friendly Indians, of the 
suspicious conduct of some of the resident Americans in the 
vicinity of Fort Pitt; especially of Alexander McKee, who had 
formerly been deputy Indian agent at Pittsburgh, and had, as 
j early as in April, 1776, been put upon his parol by a commit- 
tee of M'higs at Pittsburgh, not to give any " aid or comfort " 
to the British.* " He must be an enemy to the United States," 
wrote Arbuckle, from Point Pleasant, " for the grenadier squaw^ 
and her friends, yA\o are now at this garrison, say that he has 
engaged his Indian friends to carry off his effects to their 
towns; which being accomplished, he would then make his es- 
cape to Detroit."'^ Well had it been for the western country if 

> Hand to Ycatcs, 7 March, 1778, MS. 

"This was in what is now Trumbull county, Ohio. 

3 Hand to Ycatcs, 7 jMarch, 1778, MS., just cited. The Piibstance of this commnnica* 
lion is reiterated by Gen. Hand in a letter to Maj.-Gen. Gates, same date. Hand's suc- 
cessor at Fort Pitt apologized for this raid upon the Delawares, to Capt. Pipe, principal 
war-chief of that tribe. 

< Amer. Arch., 4th Series, Vol. V, pp. 816-S20, 1C92. The Olden Time, Vol. If, p. 104. 

•The {grenadier squaw was a sister of Cornstalk, the Shawanese chief. 

• Arbuckle to Uand, 26 July, 1777, MS. 



Introduction. 



this arch-traitor had been at once secured. As it was, he was 
suffered to remain at large, upon his promise previously made, 
not to correspond with, or give any intelligence to, the ene- 
mies of the United States, or to leave the neighborhood of 
Fort Pitt without permission. 

During the summer of 1777, many persons were arrested on 
suspicion of tory proclivities in western Pennsylvania and north- 
western Yirginia. Among them were some prominent men at 
Pittsburgh, including George Morgan. Even General Hand was 
suspected, so distrustful had western patriots become. Mor- 
gan was ti-iumphantly acquitted. McKee, after being coniined 
to his own house, was paroled anew. Hand, afterward, ordered 
him to report at York, Pennsylvania, to the continental board 
of war; but, feigning sickness, he remained at Pittsburgh.^ 

By the first of March, 1778, the excitement against the to- 
nes, in the west, had to a great degree subsided. On the twenty- 
eighth of that month all this was changed; for, on that day, 
not only McKee, but Matthew Elliott, who had lately arrived 
from Quebec, claiming to be a prisoner returned on parol, but, 
in reality, having a captain's commission from the British in 
Ins pocket, and Simon Girty, an Indian interpreter, — fled from 
the vicinity of Fort Pitt to the enemy .^ These three renegades^ 
afterward proved themselves active servants of the British gov- 
ernment, bringing untold misery to the frontiers, not only while 
the revolution continued, but throughout the Indian war which 
followed that struggle, Tlieir influence was immediately 
exerted to awaken the war-spirit of the savages. Going di- 
rectly to the Delawares, they came very near changing the 
neutrality of that nation to open hostility against the United 
States; — frustrated, however, by the prompt action of General 
Hand, and of Morgan, who was still Indian agent at Fort Pitt, 

> During the excitement in 1777, west of the mountains, caused hy the general distrust, 
one man, supposed to have been a leader of the tories, Iosl his life under suspicious cir- 
cumstances. Many depredations were also committed upon the property of suspected 
persons. 

2 Hand to Maj.-Gen Gates, 30 March, 1778, MS. Same to Teat.es, same date, MS. Same 
to Col. Wm. Crawford, same date, MS. See, also, Penn. Arch., VI, 443; Heckewelder's 
Narr., p. 170. Four others fled to the enemy, at the same time,— Kobert Surplus, one 
Higgins, and two negroes belonging to McKee. 

' " Of that horrid brood called refugees, whom the devil has long since marked as his 
own."— Hugh H. Brackenridge, Pittsburgh, 1788. 



18 Washington-Irvine Corresjjondence. 

and bj the timely exertions of the Moravian missionaries upon 
the Tuscarawas. After leaving- tlie Delawares, these traitors 
proceeded westward, inflaming the Shawanese and other tribes 
to a white heat of rapacity against the border settlements. 
Thence they made their way to Detroit. 

The flight of these men to the enemy was soon followed at 
Fort Pitt by other disturbances. The minds of some of the sol- 
diers of the garrison w^ere poisoned by the wiles of disaffected 
persons in the vicinity. Several of them,^ including a few citi- 
zens, ctn the night of the twentieth of A]^ril, stole a boat and 
fled down the Ohio. Luckily they were overtaken at the mouth 
of the Muskingum by a party sent after them and the ring- 
leaders killed or captured.^ Six of the soldiers and two citizens 
escaped.^ '"I hope to see some of the captured hanged in a 
few days," was the emphatic language of General Hand.^ Two 
were shot, one hanged, and two whipped, the latter receiving 
one hundred lashes eacli.^ 

On the sixteenth of May, a number of Wyandots, under the 
lead of the Half King,® their principal chief, together "with 
some Mingoes,''' crossed the Ohio river and assailed Fort Kan- 
dolph. The savages endeavored to draw the garrison into an 
ambuscade, but Captain William McKee, who was then in 
command, lia^dng received intelligence of their coming, was 
too wary for them. Only one of his men was killed and one 
M'ounded. The enemy had three wounded. After killing or 
driving off all the stock belonging to the fort, the Indians, 
who, during the day, kept up a scattering fire, but at too great 

• " A sergeant and twenty odd men " : John Proctor to Thomas Wharton, 26 Apr., 1778, 
iu Pcnn. Arch., VI, 445. 

2 Hand to Ma;. -Gen Gates, 28 Apr., 1778, MS. 

3 Hand to his wife, 28 Apr., 1778, MS. 

4 Hand to ^[aj.-Gen. Gates, 14 May, 1778, AIS. Same to his wife, 15 May, 1778, MS. 
^ In addition to the authorities already cited, I have consulted, in connection with the 

tory troubles in the west, during 1777 and 1778, Zach. Morgan to Hand, 29 Aug., 1777, 
MS. ; Thomas Brown to same, from " Redstone Fort," same date, MS. ; Hand to Yeates, 
16 Sept., 1777, MS.; same to his wife, 9 Oct., 1777, MS.; same to continental board ol 
war, 9 Nov., 1777, MS.; same to same, 21 Dec, 1777, MS.; same to Alex. McKee, 7 Feb., 
1778, MS.; same to Sampson Mathews, 27 June, 1778, MS.: Report of Cong. Com., at 
Fort Pitt, relative to Geo. Morgan, 27 March, 1778, MS.; Journals of Cong, for 1777, 1778. 

• So called by the English. By the Wyandots, he was known as Sastaregi (Appendix 
tollist. West. Penn., p. 144), or as Sarstarrateze (MS. statement of William Walker); 
by the Delawares, as Pomoacan (Ilcckevvelder's Narr., p. 283. note). 

' Their combined force numbered one hundred: Zcisberger to Morgan, 9 June, 1778, MS. 



Introduction. 19 



a distance either to do or receive mucli damage, at nightfall re- 
tired, soon nialdng their way up the Great Kanawha to attack 
the Greenbrier settlement.^ Timely notice sent by express 
from Fort Kandolph fortunately averted, to a great extent, the 
impending destruction. The eneni}^, however, assailed one of 
the country forts — the most exposed one — on the twenty- 
ninth, but were gallantly repulsed. It was guarded, when first 
attacked, with only twenty-five men. The savages commenced 
the assault at sunrise and continued their firing until three 
o'clock in the afternoon, when a relief of sixty-six men forced 
their way into the inclosure through the enemy's lines, without 
loss.^ The siege continued until night, when the savages dis- 
appeared, after having seventeen of their number killed. Of 
the Yirginians, four only were slain.^ 

The activity displayed by the British Indians all along the 
western border, during the fall of 1777, induced Pennsylvania 
and Virginia to bestir themselves to protect their distant set- 
tlements. Congress, urgently appealed to by these suffering 
states, determined to make common cause with them against 
the enemy. Commissioners'* acting under authority of the 
United States were sent to Fort Pitt to inquire into the dis- 
affection of the frontier people, and to provide for carrying 
the war into the enemy's country.^ They reported that the 

1 Capt. Wm. McKee to Hand, 21 June, 1778, MS. 

2 This force was under command of Col. Samuel Lewis and Capt. Arbnckle. , 
^Arbuclde to Hand, 2 June, 1778, MS. The fort attacked was Andrew Donnelly's. 

Compare Withers' Border Warfare, pp. 173, 179. The relief party marched from a fort 
where is now located Lewisbiirg, Greenbrier county. West Virginia. The letter of Ar- 
tuckle, just cited, corrects a few of the statements of Withers. 

•* Sampson Mathews, Geo. Olymer, and Sam'l McDowell. 

6 Journals of Cong., 20 Nov., 1777. On that day, congress — 

*■'■ Resolved, That three commissioners be appointed to repair, without delay, to 
Fort Pitt; that they be instructed to investigate the rise, progress, and extent of the 
disaffection in that quarter, and take measures for suppressing the same and bringing 
the deluded people to a sense of their duty; that the said commissioners be invested 
with full powers to suspend, for misconduct, any officers in the service of the United 
States employed in that quarter, and appoint others in their room, and to confine, in 
eafe custody, all such officers against whom they shall have satisfactory proof of being 
offenders against the rights and liberties of America. 

" l^Resolved^, That the said commissioners be directed to cultivate the friendship ol 
the Shawanese and Delaware?, and prevent our people from committing any outrages 
against them ; that they be empowered to engage as many of the Delaware and Shawanese 
warriors in the service of the United States as they judge convenient; that they be em- 
powered and directed, for effectually checking the progress of the enemy, to concert with 



20 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

western Indians were stimulated in their hostility by the 
British commandant^ at Detroit. They drew up and pre- 
sented to General Hand an elaborate plan ^ for the protection, 
by the militia alone, of the frontiers, until recommendations 
made by them to congress could be approved and carried 
into execution. On the second of May, 1778, congress re- 
solved to raise two regiments in Virginia and Pennsylvania, to 
serve for one year unless sooner discharged, for protection of 
the western frontier, and for operation thereon; — twelve com- 
panies in the former and four in the latter state. It was like- 
wise determined that, as General Hand had requested to be 
recalled from Pittsburgh, a proper person should be sent to 
relieve him. Washington was called upon to make the nomi- 
nation. After much consideration upon the subject, he named 
Briiradier General Lachlan Mcintosh, an officer of worth and 
merit, a Georgian by birth. " I part with this gentleman," 
wrote the commander-in-chief, "with much reluctance." "I 
know," are his words from his camp at Yalley Forge, " his 
services here are, and will be, materially wanted." Washington 
had a high estimation of his fitness for the position assigned 
him: "His firm disposition and equal justice, his assiduity and 
good understanding, added to his being a stranger to all parties 
in that quarter, pointed him out as a proper person ; and I trust 
extensive advantages will be derived from his command, which 
I could wish was more agreeable. He will wait on congress 
for their instructions." ^ On the twenty-sixth, Mcintosh was 
notified of his appointment. 

Brigadier General Hand a plan of carrying the war into the enemy's conntry, and canse 
the same to be executed with all convenient dispatch." . . . 

1 Lieut.-Gov. Uenry Hamilton. 

" A copy of this plan, or " Agreement," as it is called, is before me. It has no date. 

s Washington to congress, 13 May, 1778, in Sparks' Washington, V, 3GI. 



Introduction. 



CHAPTER ly. 



AN EXPEDITION UNDERTAKEN AQAINST DETROIT — ITS FAIL- 
URE. 1778-1779. 

It was suggested to congress by the commissioners sent to 
Fort Pitt, that a defensive war upon the western border 
would not only prove an inadequate security against inroads 
of the savages, but would, in a short time, be more expen- 
sive than a vigorous attempt to force them to sue for peace. 
Thereupon that body determined that an expedition should 
be immediately undertaken to reduce, if practicable, the fort 
at Detroit, and compel the hostile Indians inhabiting the 
country contiguous to the route between Pittsburgh and that 
post, to cease their aggressions. Three thousand men — the 
number proposed by the commissioners ^ — were to be engaged 
in the service. Virginia was requested to call forth as many 
militia, not exceeding twenty-live liundred, as should be judged 
necessary to complete the number appropriated for the under- 
taking. The continental board of war was directed to co- 
operate with Brigadier General Mcintosh, who was soon to 
have command of affairs in the west, in measures necessary 
for the enterprise, and give him such instructions as might 
appear best adapted to promote the expedition. Over nine 
hundred thousand dollars were voted to defray expenses, and a 
person was appointed to procure provisions, packhorses, and 
other necessaries for the army. To give effect to the action of 
congress, a plan was immediately set on foot for raising the nec- 
essary force and for the purchase of supplies for the expedition. 
Fifteen hundred men were to march by way of the Kanawha 
to Fort Randolph, and a like number, assembling at Pitts- 
burgh, was to drop down the Ohio to the same post, whence 
all were to move into the enemy's country. 

> Hand to Archibald Lochr/ and Providence Mounts, May 4, 1778, MS. 



Washington-Irvine Correspo ndence. 



Before congress determined to bogin active measures against 
Detroit and the hostile savages, Washington, upon receipt 
of information concerning Indian ravages upon the western 
frontier, had ordered the eighth Pennsylvania regiment, a 
choice body of men, who had been raised to the westward — 
one huodred of them having been constantly in Morgan's rifle 
corps — to prepare to march to Pittsburgh, a detachment 
having already been sent to that department. At the head of 
these^ troops was Colonel Daniel Brodhead, Previous to this, 
the men of the thirteenth Virginia^ remaining at Yalley Forge, 
had been placed under marching orders for the same destina- 
tion, as they, too, were enlisted in the west. The others, 
numbering upwards of one hundred, were already " at or near 
Fort Pitt." The command of this regiment was given, tem- 
porarily, to Colonel John Gibson. 

The advance of the regulars toward Pittsburgh commenced 
on the eleventh of June,^ but was interrupted by Indian rav- 
ages in the valley of Wyoming. On the twelfth of July, 
Mcintosh, then at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on his way over the 
mountains, having been informed of the depredations of the 
savages to the northward, sent the eighth Pennsylvania up the 
Susquehanna, to stop the progress of the enemy, and encour- 
age the militia to stand in their own defense; he, soon after- 
ward, pursued his journey to Pittsburgh, where he arrived 
early in August.^ General Hand, who had seen considerable 
service previous to his taking charge of the western depart- 
ment, gladly relinquished the command, — returning at once 
over the mountains to more active duties and wider fields of 
■usefulness.* The turning aside of Colonel Brodhead's regi- 
ment retarded, of course, its progress toward Fort Pitt. After 
reaching a point as far up the Susquehanna as Muncy, where 

» Afterward numbered the ninth, then the seventh, and, finally, the first Virginia regi- 
ment. 

'"'Col. Br,:dhead will march to-moirow with his regiment:" Washington to Mcin- 
tosh, June 10, 1778, MS. 

3 '•General Mcintosh has at length arrived. . . . Day after to-morrow, I hope to 
set forward to Lancaster:" Hand to his wife, from Pittsburgh, Aug., 1778, MS. 

< Hand was born 31 Dec., 1741, in King's county, Ireland; succeeded Gen. Stark in 
command at Albany, in October, 1778; was made adjutant-general, in 1780; was a mem- 
ber of congress in 1784-5; died 3 Sept., 1802, near Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 



Introduction. 



he did good service, Brodhead returned with his force to 
Carlisle. He resumed his march toward Pittsburgh not long 
afterward, where he arrived about the tenth of September.^ 

As early as July, it became apparent that success, in an ex- 
pedition against Detroit, could not reasonably be expected, un- 
less the force destined for that service could march from Pitts- 
burgh by the first of September, as had been suggested by the 
Fort Pitt commissioners; that the necessary supplies could 
not, by any means, be procured within the time limited; and 
that an extraordinary rise in the price of some articles since 
the campaign was first determined on would cause the expense 
of the undertaking, even if practicable, to exceed the estimate 
in an enormous degree.'^ Congress therefore resolved, that the 
expedition, for the present, should be deferred. Mcintosh 
was directed to assemble at Pittsburgh fifteen hundred conti- 
nental troops and militia, and proceed, without delay, to de- 
stroy such towns of the hostile tribes as he, in his discretion, 
should think would most effectually tend to chastise and terrify 
the savages and check their ravages on the western frontiers. 
The Fort Pitt commander was, however, more ambitious. He 
declared " that nothing less than Detroit was his object." 
Congress asked Yirginia to supply him with as many militia 
as he should call for, " to make up the complement of men 
destined for an incursion into the towns of the hostile Indi- 
ans; " but Mcintosh kept his eye on Detroit, notwithstanding.^ 
He was willing to "defer " the expedition against that post; 
that was all. The scheme of marching a force by way of the 
Kanawha to Fort Randolph, to be joined by an army at that 
post moving down the Oliio, was abandoned. 

Upon the arrival of Mcintosh in the western department, 
there were but two fixed stations, beside Fort Pitt, west of 
the Alleghanies, occupied by continental troops. These two 



I BrodheacVs MS. orderly book shows him (Brodhead) to have been at Ligoiiicr on the 
sixth of September, and at Fort Pitt on the twelfth, when it speaks of his "late arrival." 

''The estimate, by the commissioners at Pittsburgh, for the expedition, was $009,538. 

'•"The regular troops and new levies were equal to such au undertaking [an ex- 
cursion into the Indian country], but General Mcintosh's views were much more exten- 
sive . . . he was determined to take Detroit." — Brodhead to Maj.-Gcn. Greene, 26 
May, 1779, in Penn. Arch. , XII, 118. 



^4- Washington- Irvine Correspondence. 



were Fort Randolpli and Fort Iland.^ There were, however, 
thirty or forty other smaller stations, or forts, at different times 
garrisoned by militia; some between Wheeling and Pitts- 
burgh; others upon the waters of the Monongahela and the 
Kiskiminetas; and not a few in the interior parts of the settle- 
ments; — " which were frequently altered, kept, or evacuated, 
according to the humors, fears, or interest, of the people of 
most influence." General Hand had been obliged to yield to 
this, as his chief dependence was upon militia. These forts, 
in view of the fact that they were very expensive and would 
be of little service now that the war was to be carried into the 
enemy's country, Mcintosh resolved to break up as soon as he 
conld, without giving too much offense to the people, whose 
assistance he so much required. 

That the frontiers might not be wholly deprived of means 
for defense while the army marched into the Indian country, 
the lieutenants of Monongalia and Ohio counties, Virginia,^ 
were authorized to raise a ranging company jointly, to scout 
continually along the Ohio river " from Beaver creek down- 
wards," where the savages usually crossed to annoy the settle- 
ments. Archibald Lochry, lieutenant of Westmoreland county, 
Pennsylvania, was empowered to organize two such com- 
panies, to scour the frontiers on the north, as a protection from 
scalping parties of the northern Indians. Independent com- 
panies had been raised for the sole purpose of maintaining 
Fort Pitt, Fort Hand, and Fort Handolph, as these posts were 
expected soon to be evacuated by their garrisons. 

Mcintosh had not been long in the west when he discovered 
that a number of store-houses for provisions, which had been 
built at public expense, were at great distances apart, difficult 



1 Fort Hand, erected in the spring of 1778, and named in honor of Brig. -Gen. Hand, 
was located in Westmoreland county, about fourteen miles north of Hannastown. "About 
a mile south of the ford of the Kiskiminetas ; and ihe ford was about six miles above the 
mouth of tlie stream: " MS. Statement of Samuel Murphy, 1846. 

2 Three counties— Yohogania, Monongalia, and Ohio — were formed by Virginia in 177G, 
out of the district of West Augusta, the latter having previously been set oft' from Au- 
gusta county. Yohogania included — so Virginia claimed — a consideral)le portion of 
what is now southwestern Pennsylvania. To thcsouth of this, down the Ohio river, w s 
Ohio county. Eastward of Ohio county, lying upon the waters of the Monongahela and 
its branches, was the county of Monongalia. The lieutenant of Monongalia county was 
Col. John Evans; of Ohio county, Col. David Shepherd. 



Introduction. <25 



of access, and scattered throughout the border counties. At 
each of these, a number of men was required. These build- 
ings were given up, as the provisions in them intended for the 
expedition proved to be spoiled. In place of them, one gen- 
eral store-house was built by a fatigue party, " in the fork of 
the Monongahela river," where all loads from over the moun- 
tains could be discharged, without crossing any considerable 
branch of any river. 

The commissioners at Fort Pitt proposed to congress that a 
treaty be held on the twenty-third of July, at Pittsburgh, with 
the Delawares, Shawanese, and other Indians. Congress ap- 
proved the suggestion, and resolved that three persons should 
be appointed to negotiate with the savages. Virginia was re- 
quested to send two and Pennsylvania one commissioner for 
that purpose. Messengers carrying presents had already been 
dispatched to the Delawares and Shawanese, with invitations 
to attend the conference.^ Two Virginians,^ representing the 
United States, repaired to Fort Pitt, but Pennsjdvania neglected 
to send a representative.^ This caused some disapj)ointment. 
From the wilderness across the Ohio, no Indians came but 
Delawares, as a large majority of the Shawanese were now 
openly hostile to the United States. The former tribe was 
represented by their three principal chiefs.^ It was Septem- 
ber before the parties met for consultation; and a treaty was 
not finally signed until the seventeenth of that moiith.^ By 
its terms, not only were the Delawares made close allies of the 
United States and " tlie hatchet put into their hands," — thus 
changing, and wisely too, the neutral policy previously acted 
upon, — but consent M^as obtained for marching an army across 
their territory.'^ They stipulated to join the troops of the 
general government with such a number of their best and most 

1 The messenger sent to the Shawanese was James Girty; but, like his brother Simon, 
he was induced to desert the cause of his country. He remained with the Indians. 

2 Andrew and Thomas Lewis. • 
'George ^Morgan solicited the appointment, but none was made. 

^ White Eyes, Captain Pipe, and John Killbuck, Jun. 

' This treaty has been several times published. 

«The territory of the Delawares, as claimed by them at that date, was hounded on the 
east by French creek, the Alleghany, and the Ohio, — as far down the last mentioned 
stream as Hockhocking, at least; on the west, by the Hockhocking and the Sandusky. 
They even advanced claims to the whole of the Shawanese country. 



^6 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

expert warriors as tliej could spare, consistent with their own 
safety. A requisition for two captains and sixty braves was 
afterward made upon the nation by the American commander. 

Mcintosh now opened a road to the Beaver. There, just be- 
low its mouth, upon the right bank of the Ohio,^ he built, by 
fatigue of the whole line, a post with barracks and stores, 
where loads could be carried, either by land or water; and 
where, should there be a failure of sufficient troops and sup- 
plies to carry forward the expedition during the autumn, a 
footing, at least, would be secured, considerably advanced to- 
ward the enemy's country. This would enable the commander 
to be better prepared for another attempt in the spring, and 
show the foe, at the same time, that he was in earnest in his 
progressive movements.^ The post was called Fort Mcintosh, 
in honor of its projector. It was built under the immediate 
supervision of a competent engineer.^ It was furnished with 
bastions and protected by artillery. It was a "good, strong 
fort," — the first military post of the United States erected 
upon the Indian side of the Ohio.^ 

As early as the eighth of October, the headquarters of the 
army were removed from Fort Pitt to the new fort,^ where a 
considerable force — the largest collected west of the AUegha- 
nies during the revolution — was assembled, consisting, be- 
side the continental troops, of militia, mostly from the western 
counties of Yirginia. ® But the want of necessary supplies 
prevented any immediate forward movement. On the third 
day of November, cattle from over the mountains arrived. 



' At the site of what is now the borough of Beaver, in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. 

'Such were the reasons given by Mcintosh himself, to Washington, for the erection 
of the post. 

^ Le Chev'r de Cambray. 

^ Fort Mcintosh was "a regular stockaded work, with four bastions, and defended by 
six pieces of artillery." It was built of hewn logs; its figure was an irregnhir square, the 
face to the river being longer than the side to the land. It was about equjil to a square 
of fifty yards; was well built, and strong against musketrj', altliough the opposite side 
of the river commanded it entirely, and artillery placed there could have reduced it. 

» Orderly book of Mcintosh, 1778, JIS. 

'Mcintosh's entire force was about thirteen hundred. The militia numbered " at least 
one thousand." — Hrodher.d to Maj.-Gen. Greene, 20 May, 1779, previously cited. They 
were mostly from what was then Berkeley, Frederick, Rockingham, Augusta, Botetourt, 
Yohogania, Monongalia, and Ohio counties, Virginia. MS. Alcmoranda of Francis Dun- 
lavy. Mcintosh's orderly book, 1778, MS. Jour. Va. Ex. Council, July, 1778, MS. 



Introduction. 



but they were extremely poor, and could not be slaughtered 
for M'ant of salt.^ t 

Alarming intelligence now reached Mcintosh from the wil- 
derness west. He was reproached for his tardiness by friendly 
Indians, who threatened that all their nations would unite in 
the Tuscarawas valley to give him battle, and oppose his pro- 
gress to Detroit. Orders were, therefore, immediately issued 
for twelve hundred men to get ready to march. On the fifth 
of ISTovember, the movement of the array westward commenced, 
including the whole force, except one company, which was left 
under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Kichard Campbell, of 
the thirteenth Yirginia regiment, to bring on the "long-looked 
for supplies." 2 For fourteen days, the march continued before 
the Tuscarawas was reached,^ a distance of only about seventy 
miles from Fort Mcintosh. This slow progress was caused 
by the "horses and cattle tiring every four or five miles." It 
was upon this river, where the army had now encamped, that 
the commander anticipated meeting the enemy; but only a few 
Delawares from Coshocton, and some Moravian Indians* 
were found, and they were friendly. The gathering of the 
savages to impede his march, he was told, had been abandoned.^ 
At this juncture, Mcintosh was informed that the necessary 
supplies for the winter had not reached Fort Mcintosh, and 
that very little could be expected. He was thus disappointed 
in all his "flattering prospects and schemes " against Detroit. 
There was now no other alternative but to return as he came, 
without effecting any valuable purpose, thereby confirming 

' Salt sold in Pittsburgh, at that date, at twenty dollars a bushel. 

^Mcintosh to Washington, 27 Apr , 1779, in Sparks' Corr. Amer. Rev., vol. II, p. 284. 
Jacob White's pension statement, 1833, MS. copy. Dunlavy's pension statement, MS. 
copy, previously cited. Mcintosh's orderly book, 1778, MS. 

'That is to say, there were foarteen marching days. The army did not make its camp 
upon the Tuscarawas until November 21st: Mcintosh's orderly book, 1778, MS. ' Mcin- 
tosh, in his letter to Washington, of 27 Apr., 1779, just cited, says: '"We were fourteei! 
days upon our march." The route was the same as the one followed by Colonel Henry 
Bouquet, on his maixh against western Indians in 1764. For a description of the course 
taken by that ofhcer, consult Bouquet's Expedition against the Ohio Indians, Philadel- 
phia printed, London reprinted, 1766, pp. 11-13; or, Robert Clarke & Co.'s reprint, Cin- 
cinnati, 1868, pp. 46-51. 

* The Moravian Indians (themselves mostly Delawares) were of those gathered in the 
valley of the Tuscarawas, by Moravian missionaries. 

' That the enemy seriously contemplated meeting Mcintosh in the valley of the Tus- 
carawas, there is no evidence. 



^8 Washington- Irvine Corresjpondence. 

the savages in the opinion ah-eady formed of the weakness of 
the Americans, and combining them all more completely with 
the British, — or, to build a strong stockade fort upon the Tus- 
carawas, and leave as many men as provisions would justify, 
to secure it until the next season, to serve as a bridle upon the 
Indians in their own country.^ The commander, with the 
unanimous approbation of his principal officers, chose the lat- 
ter alternative; and a post was commenced where there had 
been one formerly,'^ on the west bank of the river, below the 
mouth of Sandy creek,^ — the whole army being employed upon 
it while provisions lasted; not, however, without some trou- 
ble, as the militia whose homes were west of the mountains, 
were in a mutinous condition. The fortification was a regu- 
larly laid out work, inclosing less than an acre of ground, and 
was named Fort Laurens, in honor of the president of con- 
gress. It was the first military post of the government erected 
upon any portion of the territory now constituting the state 
of Ohio. Leaving a garrison of one hundred and fifty men, 
with scanty supplies, under command of Colonel John Gibson, 
to finish and protect the work, Mcintosh, with the rest of his 
army, returned, very short of provisions,* to Fort Mcintosh, 
where the militia under his command were discharged "pre- 
cipitately." ^ 

Washington soon after, in ignorance of Mcintosh's move- 
ments beyond the mountains, declared that the latter ought to 
decide finally, if he had not already done so, whether he could, 

1 Such were the reasons given by Mcintosh to Washington, sometime afterward, for 
huilding Fort Laurens. " I am the more particular in giving my reasons," said he, " for 

building Fort Laurens, as , , and their dependents, for want of other matter, have 

cried it down, as a designed slaughter-pen, impossible to maintain; and endeavored to 
prejudice the whole country against it, although the former laid the plan that was after- 
wards adopted for taking and keeping Detroit."— Mcintosh to Washington, 27 April, 
1770, previously cited. 

2 Compare Bouquet's Expedition, London reprint, p. 13, or Cincinnati reprint, pp. 51, 
52, as to the erection of a fort upon the right bank of the Tuscarawas, in 17G4, by Col. 
Bouquet. The fortiflcation commenced by Mcintosh was close by the site of Bouqucfs. 

3 A short distance south of the present village of Bolivar, Tuscarawas county, Ohio. 
*"0n our march in, we were obliged to eat beef-hides, which had been left to dry; 

they were first roasted:" Statement of Stephen Burkham, 1815, MS. "Thirtj'-si.K dry 
hides were cut up and roasted in one night: " Ellis' Recollections, 1815, MS. 

5 Mcintosh to Washington, U Jan., 1779, MS. Mem. of Francis Dunlavy, MS. The 
army left Fort Laurens on the morning of the 9th Dec, arriving at Fort Mcintosh the 
13th. 



Introduction. 29 



with tlie force, provisions, stores, prospect of supplies, and 
means of transportation, which he then had, advance to De- 
troit; and whether the advantages or disadvantages of a winter 
expedition preponderated. The return of the Fort Pitt com- 
mander to the Oliio river was an empliatic decision, ah*eadj 
given, in opposition to a winter campaign against that post. 

Mcintosh now made such disposition of liis continental 
troops and independent companies for the winter as, in his 
judgment, would protect the border, and facilitate future oper- 
ations. The eighth Pennsylvania regiment was assigned to 
Fort Pitt. The men left in Fort Laurens were a part of the 
thirteenth Yirginia. The residue, with the independent com- 
panies, were divided between Fort Mcintosh, Fort Henry, 
Fort Randolph, and Fort Hand; with a few at inferior sta- 
tions. There was not one of the militia retained under pay at 
either of these posts. 

After the main army left Fort Laurens, the work upon that 
post was continued. " I have already finished setting up the 
pickets," wrote the officer in charge, toward the latter part of 
December, "and, in a few days, I think I can bid defiance to 
the enemy." "The distressed situation of the men," he con- 
tinued, " prevents the work from going on as briskly as it 
otherwise would." In the meantime, he had opened negotia- 
tions with the friendly Delawares at Cosliocton for the pur- 
chase of some cattle. " With these," he added, " I am in hopes 
we shall have beef enougli, and that we shall have a sufiicient 
quantity of flour until a farther supply can be sent us."^ 

The disappearance into the Indian country from Fort Pitt 
and vicinity, in the early part of the year 177S, of McKee and 
other tories, added greatly to the terror in the border settle- 
ments naturally inspired by the knowledge of the hostile atti- 
tude of the western savages. " What may be the fate of this 
county," is the language of a resident of Westmoreland, in 
the latter part of April, " Grod only knows; but, at present, it 
wears a most dismal aspect." On the twenty-eighth, a settle- 
ment "at and about Wallace's fort," in that county, was at- 

1 Col. John Gibson to Mcintosh, from Fort Laurens, 21 Dec, 1778, MS 



30 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

tacked, and twenty men who were out reconnoitering the 
woods, had nine killed and their captain wounded. Four of 
the enemy were killed. By the middle of May, the northern 
road leading over the mountains from Pittsburgh had become 
the frontier line in that direction, A captain, who, with nine 
men, chiefly continental soldiers, was bringing grain from the 
neighborhood to Fort Hand, was, on the seventh of July, sur- 
prised by a party of savages. The officer ^ and seven of his 
command were killed. There were, also, frequent incursions 
of scalping parties across the Ohio, at different points below 
Wheeling, notwithstanding the progress of the American army 
westward of that river. These were continued until late in the 
autumn. From Fort Henry to Fort Randolph, there were few, 
if any, obstacles presented to this advance of the foe into the 
settlements lying on the east and west forks of the Monongahela 
and their branches. Suddenly would the savages make their 
appearance, frequently where least expected; then followed the 
bloody work of the tomahawk and scaljiing-knife; and, as sud- 
denly as they came, would the murderers disappear. 

AVhile Mcintosh was at Fort Laurens, he ordered one hun- 
dred and fifty militia from Westmoreland county, to march as 
secretly as possible to " the forks of the Alleghany river," and 
endeavor to destroj'^ some Indians settled on French creek, who 
were the perpetrators of much of the mischief done in the 
northern settlements. The men reached a point within " ten 
miles of the savages, when they returned," declared Mcintosh, 
" without seeing the face of a single Indian." ~ " We pro- 
ceeded on to French creek," is the subsequent language of the 
officer having chief command of the expedition, " where we 
found the Indian town evacuated." " I then went on further 
than my orders called for," he adds, "in quest of Indians; 
but our provisions being nearly exhausted, we were obliged 
to return."^ 

> Capt. Miller, of the eighth Pennsylvania regiment. 

'SIcIntosh to Washington, H Jan., 1T79, MS., previously cited. 
■ 3 This was the first expedition in force to the northward from the vicinity of Fort Pitt, 
during the war. It was commanded by Ool. James Smith. For this ofBcer's acconnt of 
the march, see his Narr. (Lexington, Ky., 1799), p. 75, or Robert Clarke & Co.'s reprint 
(Cincinnati, 1870), p. 135-137. Mention of the "French creek expedition," as it was 
called, is to be found in Col. Rec. of Pa., XIV, 662. 



Introduction. 31 



More than half the month of January, 1779, wore away 
without anything of importance occurring to the westward 
of Pittsburgh, when Samuel Sample, an assistant quartermas- 
ter, sent by Colonel Gribson from Fort Laurens to Coshocton, 
for corn and other articles, had one man killed,^ and another 
desperately wounded,^ by treacherous Delawares.^ Toward the 
close of the month. Captain John Clark, of the eighth Pennsyl- 
vania regiment, who had commanded an escort of provisions to 
Gibson, was, on his return, with a sergeant and fourteen men, 
when only about three miles distant from the fort, attacked by 
seventeen Indians, chiefly Mingoes, led by Simon Girty, the 
renegade from Pittsburgh, who, immediately after his arrival 
at Detroit, was employed in the Indian department as inter- 
preter, and sent back to the savages. The Americans suf- 
fered a loss of two killed, four wounded, and one taken pris- 
oner. The remainder, including the captain, fought their way 
back to the fort. Letters written by the commander of the post, 
and containing valuable information, were captured by Girty.* 
Mcintosh, upon receipt of this intelligence, endeavored to send 
supplies to the garrison by way of the Ohio and Muskingum 
rivers, but the attempt proved abortive.^ By the middle 
of February, provisions began to grow scarce. The com- 
mander sent word to Mcintosh at Fort Pitt, informing him of 
the state of affairs, concluding with these brave words: "You 
may depend on my defending the fort to the last extremity." 

On the twenty-third, a wagoner was sent out of Fort Laurens 
for the horses belonging to the post, to draw wood. With him 
went a guard of eighteen men. The party were fired upon by 
lurking savages and all killed and scalped in sight of the fort, 

1 John Nash, of the thirteenth Virginia regiment; killed Jan. 22d. 

8 Peter Parchment, of the same regiment as Nash; wounded on the Srth of the same 
month; he finally recovered. 

3 Gibson to Mcintosh, from Fort Laurens, 13 Feb., 1779, MS. 

■• Capt. John Klllbuck to Gibson, 3) Jan., 1779, original letter. Heckewelder to same, 
8 Feb., 1779, original letter. Mcintosh to Lochry, 39 Jan., 1779, in Penn. Arch., VII, 173. 

5 " I am now happily relieved by the arrival of Maj. Taylor here, who returned with 
one hundred men and two hundred kegs of flour. He was six days going up the Mus- 
kingum river about twenty miles, the waters were so high and stream so rapid; and as 
he had about one hundred and thirty miles more to go, he judged it impossible to re- 
lieve Col. Gibson in time, and therefore returned, having lost iwo of his men sent to 
fiank him upon the shore, who were killed and scalped by some warriors coming down 
the Muskingum river: " Mcintosh to Washington, from Fort Pitt, 12 March, 1779, MS. 



32 Washington-Irvine C orresjyondence. 

except two, who were made prisoners.' The post was imme- 
diately thereafter invested by the Indians — mostly AVyandots 
and Mingoes — in force.^ They continued the siege until the 
garrison was reduced to the verge of starvation; a quarter of 
a pound of sour flour and an equal w^eight of spoiled meat 
constituting a daily ration. The assailants, however, were 
finally compelled to return home, as their supplies had also be- 
come exhausted. 

Before the enemy left, a soldier managed to steal through 
their lines, reaching Mcintosh on the third of March, with a 
message from Colonel Gibson informing him of his critical 
situation.^ The Fort Pitt commander immediately made ex- 
ertions to set on foot an expedition for his relief. In the event 
of not meeting the foe upon the Tuscarawas, Mcintosh planned, 
in his own mind, to march before his return, against Sandusky 
and destroy the Wyandot towns; "and if we could not get 
any supplies there," are his words, " proceed farther." ^ On 
the nineteenth of March, with about two hundred militia 
quickly raised from the counties west of the mountains, and 
over three hundred continental troops from Fort Mcintosh 
and Fort Pitt, he left the former post upon his second march 
to the Tuscarawas;^ arriving there in four days,^ to find the 
siege of Fort Laurens abandoned and the savages gone. A 
salute, fired by the garrison upon the arrival of the relief in 
sight of the post, frightened the packhorses, causing them to 
break loose, scattering the supplies in the woods and resulting 



1 Mcintosh to Wasliington, 12 March, 1770, MS., just cited. Brodhead to same, 21 
March, 1779, MS. 

s "The attacking party consisted of one hundred and eighty:" Ilildreth's Pion. Hist., 
p. 1.38. "Near three hundred:" Heckewelder to Mcintosh, 12 March, 1779, MS. Ilildreth 
is the better authority in this matter. He cites Geo. Morgan, who got his informatioij 
from the Delaware chiefs. The cunning foe, it seems, by stratagem, made their number 
so appear, that eight hundred and forty-seven were counted from one of the bastions of 
tlie fort. 

3 "A messenger came to me the third of March, instant, who slipped out of Fort 
Laurens on the night of Sunday, the twenty-eiglith of February, by whom Col. Gibson 
would not venture to write: " Mcintosh to Washington, 12 Mar., 1779, previously cited. 

4 Mcintosh to Washington, 3 Apr., 1779, MS. 

6 Mcintosh to Washington, 19 March, 1779, MS. Orderly book of Mcintosh, 1779, MS. 
Col. Brodhead was left in command of Fort Mcintosh. 

"Mcintosh to Washington, 3 Apr., 1779, MS., previously cited. Mcintosh's orderly 
book, MS. 



Introdnction. 33 



in the loss of a number of the horses and of some of the pro- 
visions. 

The men in the fort were found in a most deplorable con- 
dition. For nearly a week, thej had subsisted on raw hides 
and such roots as they could find in the vicinity after the 
Indians had gone. Mcintosh called a council of war and laid 
before the officers assembled his plan for marching against the 
Wyandots and striking a blow at their towns on the Sandusky. 
But the project was unanimously opposed; as the ground, so 
early in the season, was very wet, and there was a scanty 
supply of forage for their horses and less than two weeks' 
provisions for the whole army. So the matter was dropped.^ 
Leaving one hundred and six men, rank and file, of the eighth 
Pennsylvania regiment, under command of Major Frederick 
Vernon, to garrison the post, and a supply of food for less 
than two months, he returned with the residue of his force to 
Fort Mcintosh, reaching there after a march of six days. 

In April, 1779, Mcintosh, dispirited and with health im- 
paired, retired from the command of the western department, — 
his request, previously made to congress for that purpose, 
having been granted.^ He soon repaired to Washington's 
headquarters.^ This was the abandonment by the general 
government, for the time, of ofiensive measures in the west. 
Something had been gained by the forward movement from 
Fort Pitt, although at the expense of a number of lives and 
much treasure. The attention of the savages had, to some ex- 
tent, been diverted from the border, and the anxiety at Detroit 
considerably increased. In the management of afiairs in the 
western department not immediately connected with aggressive 

» Mcintosh to Washington, 3 Apr. (just cited) and 3 May, 1779, MS. letters. 

* "Whereas Brigadier [General] \lcIntosh, commanding a detachment of the army at 
Fort Pitt, hath requested leave to retire from that command, 

" Hesolved, That the commander-in-chief be directed to appoint a proper oflBcer to 
encceed to the said command; and that Brigadier-General Mcintosh, on being relieved, 
repair to the main army, or to such post as shall be assigned to him by the commander- 
in-chief."— Journals of Cong., 20 Feb., 1779. 

'He was in Philadelphia as early as the twenty-fourth of April: Penn. Arch., VII, 
342. His letter written to Washington on the twenty-seventh was dated in " Camp," 
which Sparks (Corr. Amer. Rev., II, 2S4) erroneously supposed meant Pittsburgh. Be- 
side, the context clearly indicates that he was writing east of the mountains: "When 
I first went there [west of the mountains], I found," etc. 
3 



3^ Washington- limine C orresjpondence. 

movements beyond the Ohio, Mcintosh had exercised good 
judgment. lie had carefully avoided interfering with the 
troublesome boundary question, although often applied to by 
both sides; as it was wholly out of his power to remedy the 
evil. He had preserved cordial relations with the several 
county lieutenants and had been active and vigilant in pro- 
tecting the exposed settlements. The erection of Forts Mc- 
intosh and Laurens as a precautionary measure was approved 
by the commander-in-chief. " The establishing of posts of 
communication," he wrote, " which Mcintosh has done for 
the secui'ity of his convoys and the army, is a proceeding 
grounded on military practice and experience." Congress 
having directed the appointment of a successor to the retiring 
officer, "Washington, on the fifth of March, made choice of 
Colonel Daniel Brodhead, of the eighth Pennsylvania regi- 
ment, who was then first in rank, in the western department, 
under General Mcintosh,^ 

1 Mcintosh was born near Inverness, Scotland, 17 March, 1T25. His father's family, 
himself included, came with General Oglethorpe to Georgia, in 1736. He became colonel 
of the first Georgia regiment in the early part of the revolution; was soon made a brig- 
adier-general; killed Button Gwinnett, a signer of the declaration of independence, in 
a duel, in 1777; was captured at Charleston, South Carolina, May 1", 1780; became a 
member of congress, in 1784; an Indian commissioner, in 1785; died in Savannah, 
Georgia, 20 Feb., 1806. 



Introduction. 35 



CHAPTER Y. 

PROGRESS OF THE WESTERN BORDER WAR. 1779-1781. 

While in charge of Fort Mcintosh, Brodhead was notified 
of his appointment to the command of the western depart- 
ment, in a complimentary letter from the commander-in-chief. 
Said "Washington: " From my opinion of your abilities, your 
former acquaintance with the back country, and the knowl- 
edge you must have acquired upon this last tour of duty, I 
have appointed you to the command." ^ It was a selection 
gratifying to Pennsylvania, as the colonel was a citizen of 
that state. The whole force turned over to him by Mcintosh, 
including continental and independent troops, consisted of 
seven hundred and twenty-two men, stationed at Fort Laurens 
and Fort Mcintosh, Fort Henry and Fort Randolph, Fort 
Hand and Fort Pitt, At the last mentioned post, Brodliead 
soon established his headquarters.^ A few other stations were 
garrisoned with small detachments. 

The wanton ravages and murders by Indians of the Six 
Nations, the year previous, in the exposed settlements of 
Pennsylvania and New York, particularly at Wyoming and 
Cherry Yalley, determined Washington to send a formidable 
expedition against them. Four thousand men were to pene- 
trate their country from the waters of the Susquehanna; while 
five hundred from Pittsburgh, by way of the Alleghany, were 
to cooperate as circumstances might permit. Brodhead re- 
ceived, from the commander-in-chief, explicit orders concern- 
ing the movement from Fort Pitt. These directions were 
given careful thought. "The strictest attention," was his 
assurance to Washington, " shall ever be paid to all the in- 

» Washington to Brodhead, 5 Mar., 1779, MS. Compare Patterson's Hist. Backwoods, 
p. 234. 

2 Orders from Pittshurgh were issued by him as early as April13th: MS. Instructions — 
Brodhead to Lieut. Lawrence Harrison, of the 13th [9th] Va. Ilen;'t. This regiment 
had been recently numbered the 9th, a fact then unknown at Pittsburgh. 



36 Was/n7ir/to7i-Jrvine Correspondence. 

strnctions your excellency may, from time to time, be pleased 
to give me." " I shall be happy," said he, previously, " if 
we can move by the first of June." But the idea of coopera- 
tion from Pittsburgh with the other forces marching against 
the New York Indians, was soon abandoned. The uncertainty 
of timing it well, and a want of sufficient information of the 
country through which Brodhead would have to pass, together 
with the difficulty of providing supplies in time, and the 
removal of troops, which would uncover the region around 
Fort Pitt, thereby giving confidence to the western savages, 
already too much inclined to hostility, were the principal 
inducements prompting the commander-in-chief to lay aside 
all thoughts of aid from the western department. But the 
expedition against the hostile portion of the Indians of the 

Six Nations was not abandoned. 

Ln his instructions to Brodhead, mention was made, by 

"Washington, of the boundary troubles in the west. " There 

is one point," are his words, " upon which I will take the 

liberty of dropping you a caution, though perhaps it may' 

have already struck you, which is, the policy and propriety 

of not interesting yourself in the dispute subsisting between 

the states of Pennsylvania and Virginia, on account of their 

boundaries." The advice of Washington was not lost upon 

Brodhead. He turned his thoughts to the protection and 

wants of the whole trans- Alleghany region, irrespective of 

boundary lines. "His excellency, the commander-in-chief," 

he wrote, on the fifteenth of April, " has now honored me 

with the command of the western department, and my whole 

attention shall not be wanting to strike terror in our enemy 

and secure the settlements in this fertile country." 

The condition of Fort Laurens early engaged the attention 

of Brodhead. Major Yernon, at that post, experienced, from 

the commencement of his charge, many hardships. Scarcely 

had the command been turned over to him when small parties 

of savages began to make their appearance in the vicinity. 

He soon had two men killed, out of a party of forty who were 

outside the fort gathering fire-wood.^ The throwing of supplies 

> Vernon to Mclut sh, from Fort Laurens, 28 March, 1779, MS. Same to Brodhoad, 



Introduction. 37 



into the post was attended with much difficulty and expense, 
and its evacuation seemed desirable. But "it is to be pre- 
served," wrote Washington, " if, under a full consideration of 
circumstances, it is judged a post of importance, and can be 
maintained without running too great a risk." The com- 
mander-in-chief was apprehensive its abandonment would giv^e 
great encouragement to the savages about Detroit, — which was 
his reason for holding it; not on account of any opinion of its 
usefulness as a protection to the border. Brodhead found 
" that the state of provisions there " was by no means what 
he had supposed it to be.^ The language of Yernon, in a 
letter from the fort, dated the twenty-ninth of April was ex- 
pressive and startling: " Should you not send us provisions 
in a very short time, necessity will oblige us to begin on some 
cow-hides the Indians left." 

" I am just now fitting out one hundred and fifty men," 
wrote Brodhead, on the fourth of May, " to escort a small 
quantity of supplies to Fort Laurens." " Indeed," was his 
earnest decTfiration, in addition, " I cannot send a larger party; 
as the Indians are at present very troublesome on the northern 
frontiers of Westmoreland, and a large party would consume 
all the salt provisions on the march; as for fresh ones, I have 
none."^ But the greatest part of the garrison, by the middle 
of the month, had to be sent in, or they would have perished 
by starvation, as no relief had arrived. Major Yernon held 
the post ten days longer with only twenty-five men, living 
on herbs, salt, and cow-hides, when supplies from Fort Pitt, 
escorted by a party of regulars, who marched by a new route,^ 
reached the fort. 

same date, MS. The attack was made in the morning of the day on which these letters 
were written. Ensign John Clark was one of the killed, 
i Brodhead to Lochry, 23 Apr., 1779, MS. 

2 Brodhead to Washington, MS. letter. 

3 The relief was commanded by Capt. Robert Beall, of the 13th [9th] Va. Keg't. 
They dropped down the Ohio to an old, deserted Mingo town, at the mouth of Cross creek, 
just below the present Steubenville, Ohio; marching thence to Fort Laurens.— Brodhead 
to Beall: MS. Instructions. Same to Maj. Vernon, at Fort Laurens, 14 May, 1779, MS. 
Same to Lieut. John Hardin, of the 8th Pa. Reg't, same date, MS. The detachment was 
detained for a time, at Fort Mcintosh, "while the garrison at Fort Laurens were starv- 
ing:" Brodhead to Capt. John Clark, June 6th, 1779, MS. This new route to Fort 
Laurens was not again used,—" the old Tuscarawas path " being taken in subsequent 
marches to and from that post. 



38 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

At this time, the garrison were so much reduced for want of 
provisions that they were scarcely able to stand on their feet. 
" I dare say," are the words of Brodhead to the Fort Laurens 
commander, on the thirtieth, " you took good care not to suffer 
your starved men to eat too much at a time, after the supplies 
arrived, and that the whisky added to their relief." Past the 
middle of June, the post was relieved by seventy-five men, 
well supplied with provisions, under command of Lieutenant- 
Colonel Campbell,^ Vernon returned to Fort Pitt, but his 
detachment was left at Fort Mcintosh.'^ After being once 
more seriously threatened by the Indians in force. Fort 
Laurens, early in August, was evacuated; orders to that efiect 
having been previously sent by Colonel Brodhead,^ that the 
garrison stationed there might be added to troops already col- 
lected at Pittsburgh for a contemplated expedition against 
the northern Indians. Before the soldiers left, two of their 
number were killed by lurking savages within sight of the 
post. As the fort might again be occupied. Colonel Campbell 
was enjoined not to destroy it. It was never af tef garrisoned. 
It remained intact during the war, but was subsequently 
demolished. 

Turning our eyes from the wilderness beyond the Ohio, to 
the northern settlements of Westmoreland, we see that, as early 
as the twenty-sixth of February, 177 9, Indian depredations 
began therein. On that day, about twenty miles east of Pitts- 
burgh, on the main road leading over the mountains, eighteen 
persons — men, women, and children — were either killed or 
taken prisoners.* It. is not surprising, therefore, that the first 
care of Brodhead, after assuming command in the west, was, to 
protect the northern frontier. His first order ^ directed a de- 

» Brodhead to Campbell, MS. lustriictious, 14 Juue, IVTQ. Same to Vernon, same 
date, MS. Instructions. Same to Campbell, 16 June, 17T9, MS. letter. 

' Brodhead's orderly book, 1779, MS. Zeisberger to Campbell, at Fort Laurens (no 
date), MS. 

3 The first order to leave wa.i issued by Brodhead on the Kith July: Brodhead to 
Campbell, MS. Instructions. This informed the commander that the post was to be 
evacuated as soon as horses could bo sent to bring in the stores; subsequent orders 
wore more pressing and imperative. 

* Mcintosh to Washington, \i Mar., 177!), MS., before cited. 

•> Brodhead to Lieut. Lawrence Harrison, l:Jth [i)th] Va. RegH, 13 Apr,, 17V9, MS., pre- 
viously cited. 



Introduction. 39 



tachment from Fort Pitt to occupy tlie vacant Fort Crawford, 
located a few miles up the Alleghany.^ The soldiers were in- 
structed to scout on the waters of that river, as well as on 
Pucketj creek, and upon theKiskiminetas as far as Fort Hand, 
thereby to protect, as much as possible, from the death-dealing 
savages of the north, the exposed settlements to the eastward 
of Pittsburgh. General Washington, with " a full sense of 
the importance, necessity, and duty, of taking the most vigor- 
ous and speedy measures for the support and protection of the 
frontiers," decided to order to the westward Colonel Moses 
Rawlings' corps of three companies from Fort Frederick, Mary- 
land, to assist in protecting the exposed settlements, and, at 
the same time, to promote the cooperation of troops from Fort 
Pitt with the army to be sent against Indians of the Six 
Nations, by erecting posts at Kittanning and Yenango. Al- 
though the plan for the movement of a force from Pittsburgh 
was soon laid aside and the building of the two forts aban- 
doned, the march of the Maryland corps was not counter- 
manded. 

Pursuant to a resolution of congress, Pennsylvania deter- 
mined to raise five companies of rangers for service to the 
westward. Militia, also, were ordered "to march with all 
possible expedition" from the eastward, "for the immediate 
protection of the counties of Bedford and "Westmoreland." 

" The Indians seem to have taken quarters in "Westmore- 
land," Brodhead wrote, on the fourteenth of April, " but they 
lost one of their scalps yesterday." ^ On the twenty-sixth. 
Fort Hand was attacked by a considerable force of the enemy.^ 
It was defended by Captain Samuel Moorhead, commanding 
his independent compaTiy, then numbering only seventeen 
men inside the fortification. The post was assailed about one 
o'clock in the afternoon, and a continual firing kept up until 

1 Port Crawford stood a little way above the mouth of Puckety creek, on the Fort Pitt 
side of the Alleghany. Compare Penn. Arch., second series, Vol. IV, p. 701. It \k&s in 
what is now Burrell township, Westmoreland county, near the line of the Alleghany 
Valley railroad. 

2 MS. Instructions: Brodhead to Lieut. Gabriel Peterson, of the 8th Pa. lleg't. 

' " Supposed to be not less than one liundred: " M lorhead to Brodhead, 27 Apr., 1770, 
MS. "Capt. Moorhead thinks there were about one hundred: " Brodhead to Lochry, .30 
Apr., 1770, MS. 



J^O Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

nearly mid-day of the twenty-seventh, when the foe retired. 
The firarrison had none killed. Three were wounded — one 
soon died. There were a few women in the fort, who busily 
employed themselves during the attack in running bullets for 
their brave defenders. A company of forty men marched 
from Pittsburgh to intercept the enemy,^ but the attempt 
proved a failure. On the same day of the appearance of the 
savages aronnd Fort Hand, the Indians attacked the settlement 
at Ligonier, killing one man and taking two prisoners. 

"The savages," wrote a resident of Westmoreland, on the 
first day of May, " are continually making depredations among 
us; not less than forty people have been killed, wounded, or 
captured, this spring." The arrival of E.awlings' corps before 
the close of the month gave some confidence to the inhabitants, 
who had already fallen upon a mode of self-protection, by 
raising two companies of rangers, under the authority pre- 
viously given Colonel Lochry by General Mcintosh. A re- 
enforcement of militia from Cumberland county, also, reached 
Westmoreland, giving additional security to the frontier. The 
company raised for the purpose of defending Fort Randolph, 
but employed elsewhere, was, in the fall of 1778, ordered by 
Mcintosh to garrison that post. When Brodhead assumed 
command of the western department, he found this force re- 
duced to twentj^-nine men. So small a number at so great a 
distance from inhabitants, could answer no salutary purpose. 
The post was, therefore, ordered evacuated,^ the men reaching 
Pittsburgh with the stores, in safety, about the first of June. 
As soon as the fort was abandoned, it was burned by the Indi- 
ans. Fort Henry now marked the southern line of defense in 
the western department. 

A threatened attack by rangers and savages from Canada, 
induced Brodhead to keep a watchful eye in the direction of 
Venango and the Indian towns far up the Alleghany. Scouts 
were frequently sent " to reconnoiter the Seneca country." A 
party from Fort Pitt, of twenty white men and a young Del- 

" Brodhead to Lieut. B. Noilly, 8tli Pa. Keg't, 30 Apr., 1779, MS. 

»MS. Instructions: Brodhead to " Capt. [Sam.] Dawson, of the 8th Pa. Reg't, or the 
commanding officer [Capt. O'llarra] at Kanawha," 14 Apr., 1779. Same to Capt. Daw- 
son, 23d of same month, MS. 



Introduction. Jpl 



aware chief, " all well painted," and commanded by Captain 
Samuel Brady, of the eighth Pennsylvania, while upon a mis- 
sion of that nature, "fell in with seven Indians," not many 
miles above Kittanning. These savages had penetrated across 
the northern border, upon a marauding expedition. They had 
killed a soldier between Fort Crawford and Fort Hand, and a 
woman and four children in one of the settlements; they had 
also taken two children prisoners.^ The Indians were at- 
tacked by Brady and his band, their captain killed, their plun- 
der re-taken, and the two prisoners rescued. It was the opin- 
ion of Brodhead that a garrison, respectable in size, stationed 
at Kittanning, w^ould afford better protection against these at- 
tacks by the northern savages, than many little forts scattered 
through the settlements. One hundred and twenty continen- 
tals, rank and file, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel 
Stephen Bayard, of the eighth Pennsylvania, were, tlierefore, 
ordered from Fort Pitt, on the sixteenth of June, to erect a 
stockade, similar to Fort Crawford, at that place.^ The post 
was soon completed, and, in honor of one of the revolutionary 
generals,^ was named Fort Armstrong. 

Although the line of defense on tlie north reached from Fort 
Ligonier to Fort Armstrong, including Fort Hand, Fort Craw- 
ford, and a number of smaller stockades, yet it required 
the watchful care and continued effort of Brodhead to protect 
the settlements of Westmoreland. "The Indians sometimes 
take a scalp from us," he wrote on the sixth of AugulBt, " but 
my light parties, which I dress and paint like savages, have 
retaliated in several instances." This petty defensive war- 
fare was now to be followed by offensive operations of con- 
siderable magnitude on part of the Fort Pitt comman- 
der. "I have told his excellency, the commander-in-chief," 
are his words, " that I can more effectually protect the set- 
tlements with one thousand men acting offensively, than with 
three times that number on a defensive plan." The con- 

1 Brother and sister, children of a Mr. Henry. 

''Brodhead to Bayard: MS. Instructions. 

5 Maj.-Gen. John Armstrong, then of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. During the old French 
war, he led an expedition against what was then the Indian town of Kittjnuing, (the 
site of the present town of that name), which proved successful. 



J^ Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

stant inroads of the northern Indians induced hiin to continue 
his appeals to Washington, for the privilege of leading a force 
from Fort Pitt into tlieir country. "With great pleasure," 
he wrote, on the twenty-fifth of June, " I can now inform your 
excellency, that I have upwards of four hundred head of beef 
cattle, and near a thousand kegs of flour, with which, had I 
your permission, I conceive I could make a successful exj^edi- 
tion asrainst the Senecas." He also informed the chief execu- 
tive of Pennsylvania that he had a considerable quantity of 
provisions; and he declared with confidence, that he " could 
make a succeesful campaign up the Alleghany;" "but," said 
lie, " I am not at liberty to do it." However, the consent of 
the commander-in-chief was finally obtained, and immediate 
preparations began ; for the terms of service of more than two 
hundred of his best men would expire before the middle of 
August, and it was just between harvest and seeding time 
when a number of volunteers from the country miglit reason- 
ably be expected; beside, should the expedition be delayed, 
Indian corn would be ripe, and could be carried off by the 
enemy; this, the commander hoped to prevent. Brodhead 
was willing and anxious to cooperate with Major-General John 
Sullivan, who was now in command of the expedition against 
Indians of the Six Nations, but he feared it would be imprac- 
ticable. 

The friendly Delawares were solicited to join the army at 
Port Pitt with as many of their braves as could be spared. 
The small posts of the department, garrisoned by continental 
or provincial troops, were ordered evacuated, that their com- 
mands might be rendered available for the enterprise. As 
many soldiers as could well be spared from the large ones were 
directed to march to Pittsburgh for the same purpose. The 
provincial companies in Westmoreland were called in. Exer- 
tions were made to induce volunteering. Militia from the 
neighborliood M'ere ordered to Fort Pitt. By the eleventh of 
August, six hundred and five, rank and file, with a number of 
Delawares, were collected. The force began its march that day 
under the lead of Brodhead, wnth Colonel Gibson second in 
command. The army, having one month's supplies, advanced 



Introduction. If3 



up the Alleghany, — the provisions, except live cattle, being 
transported by water, under an escort of one hundred men, — 
to the mouth of the Mahoning, above Kittanning. 

The stores were now loaded on packhorses, and the troops 
continued their march up the river. An advance party of 
fifteen light infantry and eight Delawares, under command of 
Lieutenant John Hardin, of the eighth Pennsylvania regiment, 
fell in with thirty or forty warriors, coming down the Alle- 
ghany, in seven canoes. A sharp contest ensued. The enemy 
were defeated, the savages losing five of their number killed 
and several wounded. All their canoes, with their contents, 
were captured. Three men of the Americans were slightly 
wounded ; also, one of the Delawares. 

Brodhead proceeded up the river as far as the Indian village 
of Buckaloons,^ its inhabitants fleeing upon his approach. The 
army threw up a breastwork of trees not far away,^ and a 
garrison of forty men was left to guard provisions. The re- 
mainder of the force marched up the river to the mouth of the 
Conewango, near which was the deserted village of that name.^ 
The troops then moved up the latter stream to witliin about 
four miles of the present state boundary line, where several 
towns were found, just vacated. "On my return," wrote 
Brodhead, " I preferred the Venango road," A village, twenty 
miles up French creek from its mouth, was visited. Every In- 
dian town seen by the army during the expedition was burned. 
Many acres of corn were laid waste, and a valuable booty se- 
cured.^ The army reached Pittsburgh the fourteenth of Sep- 

1 On the flats south of the Brokenstraw, Warren county, Pennsylvania. Called 
Kachuiodagon, in 1749: O. H. Marshall, in Mag. of Amer. Hist., Vol. II, p. 139. 

2 "On a bluff, on the Alleghany river, half a mile above the Brokenstraw." — Dr. Wm. 
A. Irvine to the writer. 

J Now Warren, Warren county, Penn. This was a Seneca village as early, at least, as 
174!): O. II. Marshall. It was called Kanauagon (Conewango.) 

4 The Olden Time, II, 309; Penn. Arch., XII, 155, 1IJ5; N.Y. Gaz., 1 Nov., 1779; N. 
H. Gaz., 2 Nov., same year; Turner's Hist. Holland Purchase (N. Y.), p. 6(il ; Sparks' 
Washington, VI, 384; Young's Hist. Chautauqua County, N. Y., pp. 50,51; Duulavy's 
pension statement, 1832, already cited. A letter from Brig.-Geu. Wm. Irvine to Washing- 
ton, 2 Mny, 17i?2 (Irvine to Washington of that date, post), throws light upon the expo 
dition. I have also before me, MS. statements of Blacksnake, Capt. Decker and Charles 
O'Bail, 1850, giving the Seneca traditions of the campaign. These locate the place 
whore I.iuut. Hardin had his skirmish with the Indians, "at or near an island, three or 
four miles below Brokenstraw. " As to the expedition generally, see also, Mag. Amer. 
Hist, Vol. Ill, pp. 649-873. 



Jfjf, Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

tember, without the loss of a nian.^ Brodhead, although un- 
able to join his force with the army of General Sullivan, 
received the thanks of Washington and congress, for his suc- 
cessful enterprise.'^ 

Notwithstanding the failure of Mcintosh, in his endeavors 
beyond the Ohio, the commander-in-chief continued to keep 
an eye to the westward. " Try to ascertain," he early wrote 
Brodhead, " the most favorable season for an enterprise against 
Detroit." It is not surprising, therefore, that the Fort Pitt 
commander returned from his expedition to the northward 
filled with enthusiasm for an immediate undertaking to cap- 
ture that post; — he was in hopes, also, of punishing the Shaw- 
anese on his \vay. Before the end of September, he wrote: 
" I have applied, sometime past, for leave to make an expedi- 
tion against Detroit, but fear it will again be put off until the 
season is too far advanced." By the first of October, he became 
despondent: " It is uncertain whether I shall have leave to 
make another expedition. I can only say that if I do not, it 
will not be owing to the want of a most anxious inclination on 
my part." But the orders of "Washington previously given 
were, to act on the defensive only, until further instructions. 

In June, 1778, David Rogers, who, on the fourteenth of 
January preceding, had been selected by Yirginia to proceed 
to JN^ew Orleans to purchase supplies for the use of tlie troops 
of that state, raised a party of about thirty men in the region 
of what is now Brownsville, Fayette count}^, Pennsylvania, and, 
in keel-boats, floated down the Ohio and Mississippi. He did 
not reach New Orleans until after considerable trouble and 
delay. When he arrived, he found he would have to re- 
turn to St. Louis, to obtain the goods, for which he was given 

• " Upon the return march, a young man named John Ward was hadly injured by hia 
horse fallini; on a rock, in a creek. This accident occurred in what is now Butler coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania, where there is a township and post office, called ' Slippery Kock.' " — 
Dunlavy. 

2 " Resolved, That the thanks of congress be given to his excellency, General Washing- 
ton, for directing, and to Colonel Brodhead and the brave officers and soldiers under his 
command, for executing, the important expedition against the Mingo and ]\Ionsey Indi- 
ans and that part of the Scnecas on the Alleghany river, by which the depredations of 
those savages, assisted by their merciless instigators, subjects of the king of Great 
Britain, upon the defenseless inhabitants of the western frontiers, have been restrained 
and prevented." — Journals of Cong., 27 Oct , 1779. 



Introduction. 1^.5 



an order. From the latter place, in the autumn of 1779, he 
made his "vvay up the Ohio to the falls, where he was re- 
enforced. Early in October, with about seventy men, he con- 
tinued up the river to a point above the mouth of the Licking, 
but below that of the Little Miami, when he discovered Indians. 
Eodgers made a disposition of his force upon the Kentucky 
side of the Ohio to surprise the enemy, but was himself at- 
tacked and^ the larger portion of his men killed or taken 
prisoners. Forty bales of dry goods, a quantity of rum and 
fusees, together with "a chest of hard specie," fell into the 
enemy's hands. -Rogers was killed.^ 

As the fall of this year wore away, the anxiety on the part 
of Brodhead for a campaign against Detroit was not lessened. 
"Winter expeditions," he reasoned, "are generally attended 
with great loss of horses and cattle, except where large maga- 
zines of forage are laid in and can be transported; but the 
British garrison and shipping will be a full compensation for 
every loss of that kind." " It will," he confidently added, 
"likewise secure the future tranquility of this frontier." But 
Washington could furnish neither men nor supplies necessary 
for such an important enterprise; still, he desired Brodhead 
not to discontinue his inquiries and preparations as far as con- 
venient; "for," said he, "it is an object of too great impor- 
tance to be lost sight of." 

The attention of the savages to the westward during the first 
half of 1779, was not wholly given to the garrison in Fort 
Laurens. The settlements upon the waters of the Mononga- 
liela and the Ohio were, during that period, frequently har- 
assed by war parties; and, after the evacuation of that post, 
up to the setting in of winter, the Mingoes, Wyandots, and 
Shawanese continued their murderous forays to the southward 
and south westward of Pittsburgh. The two tribes last men- 
tioned, it is true, throughout most of the year, made loud pro- 
testations of friendship, and manifested, apparently, a strong 
desire for peace; but Brodhead, although at times inclined to 

» Heckeweldcr to Brodhead, 23 Oct., 1779, MS. Brodhead to Washington, 22 Nov., 
1779, in Penn. Arch., XII, p. 189. Royal London Gaz., 15 July, 1780. Burnet's Notes, pp. 
292, 293. Collins' Hist. Ky., vol. 11, pp. 115, 11(5, 117. 



IfG WasJiington-lrvine C orrespondence. 

give ear to their speeclies, was nevertheless so mistrustful of 
them — especially of the Shawanese — as to importune Wash- 
ington several times for permission to march against them. 

The terms of enlistment of the two ranging companies 
authorized by General Mcintosh and raised in Westmoreland 
county — one of which was commanded by Captain Matthew 
Jack, the other by Captain Nehemiah Stokely — expired dur- 
ing the summer; but their places were filled by two others, 
one under command of Captain Joseph Irwin, the other of 
Captain Thomas Campbell. These companies were enlisted 
in the same county, under the resolution of congress for raising 
five in all, for service in the west. Brodhead was authorized 
to call upon these companies only in the event of their services 
being needed upon an expedition against the enemy; other- 
wise, they were to take orders from the lieutenant of West- 
moreland county. Until this was fully understood, some 
trouble was caused, yet no serious results ensued. 

From the time of the return of Brodhead from his expedi- 
tion against the Seneca Indians to the end of the year, a good 
degree of quietude existed along the northern frontier. Raw- 
lings' corps, now very much reduced in number, was still in 
the western department. These troops and those of the eighth 
Pennsylvania and ninth Yirginia regiments were placed for 
the winter in such positions as, in the opinion of the com- 
mander, would best protect the western country. Fort Arm- 
strong and Fort Crawford were evacuated. The principal 
points garrisoned were Wheeling, Holiday's Cove (in what is 
now Hancock county. West Virginia) and Fort Mcintosh, down 
the Ohio; Fort Pitt, at Pittsburgh; and Fort Hand, Fort Wa]- 
lace and Hannastown, on the northern frontier: the two last 
mentioned were occupied by the ranging companies of Captains 
Irwin and Campbell, whose terms of service expired during 
the ensuing winter. Meanwhile, Captain Moorhead's inde- 
pendent company, which, for nearly three years, had been 
doing duty on the frontiers of Westmoreland county, was re- 
moved to Fort Pitt, and made a part of the eighth Pennsyl- 
vania regiment. 

The spring of 1780 opened gloomily upon the western fron- 



Introduction. ]^7 



tier. As early as the middle of March the Indians began their 
depredations. At a sugar camp on Raccoon creek, a stream 
flowing into the Ohio, on the left, thirty-three miles by the 
course of the^ river below Pittsburgh, five men were killed 
and three girls and three boys taken prisoners. About this 
time, two boats, in descending the Ohio, were attacked a few 
miles below Captina creek, which empties into the Ohio on 
the right, twenty-one miles below Wheeling, and one of them 
captured. In the boats were some families on their way to 
Kentucky. Several men and a small child were killed. 
Twenty-one persons — men, women and children — were made 
captives. Among them was Catharine Malott, a girl in her 
teens, who subsequently became the wife of Simon Girty, the 
refugee from Pittsburgh.^ 

The visitations of the savages were earlier than was expected, 
considering the severity of the season. Brodhead called to- 
gether the county lieutenants of the western department to 
consult upon the alarming state of affairs. It was determined 
to strike, if possible, the Shawanese, whose ravages were par- 
ticularly severe. Active measures were taken to protect the 
border. Forts Armstrong and Crawford, which had been evac- 
uated late in the previous year, were again garrisoned. The 
counties in the west were called upon for over eight hundred 
militia, to go upon an expedition against the Shawanese, but 
they came in slowly. Indian marauds into the settlements, 
and lack of provisions, together with the boundary controversy, 
caused the abandonment, finally, of the enterprise. Brod- 
head had been informed that a re-enforcement of continentals 
with supplies would be sent him, but none came. 

By the last of April, the Indians had become exceedingly 
troublesome; — over forty men, women and children had fallen 
victims to their ferocity in the country south and southwest 
of Fort Pitt. These depredations were quickly followed by 
others to the northward. It really began to look as though 
the county of Westmoreland would again become a wilderness. 

iPenn. Arch., VIIF, p. 159 — XH, p. 218. MS. Shane Papers. West. Christ. Adv., 
vol. n, pp. 1, 5, 9, 14. MS. Statement of Mrs. Sarah Munger, last surviving child of 
Simon Girty, 1864. 



^ Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

A large part of the population north of the Yonghiogheny — 
the principal eastern tributary of the Monongahela — was 
forced to fly to the several forts of that locality for safety. 
The utmost exertions of local companies and of* the lialf-clad, 
half-starved regulars — now only the cullings of the last year's 
men, many having been sent over the mountains on account 
of the pressure of the war upon the sea-board — were put forth 
to protect the homes of the borderers, but with little effect. 
The war if possible, the commander fully realized, must be 
carried to the homes of the savages; and, above all, as it was 
now seen, to the homes of the Wyandots, who were more power- 
ful for mischief to the border than either of the other tribes 
acting ao-ainst it. In June, Captain Isaac Craig with a detach- 
ment from the fourth Pennsylvania regiment of artillery 
reached Fort Pitt. On the tenth of July, Brodhead informed 
the lieutenants of the counties of the western department of 
his intention to attack the Indian towns upon the Sandusky 
by the time corn should come to perfection. " The enterprise," 
said he, " must be secret and the execution rapid." 

The resolution of the commander to assail the Wyandots 
was a timely one; for, scarcely had a week gone by, before a 
considerable number of them — over thirty warriors — struck 
the settlements to the southwest of Fort Pitt, having crossed 
the Ohio five miles below Fort Mcintosh. Early information 
enabled Brodhead to send a detachment down the river to 
intercept the savages. The movement proved entirely success- 
ful; nearly the whole war party was killed; not, however, un- 
til some unsuspecting harvesters had been surprised and shot.^ 

"How happy should I be," is the language of Brodhead in 
August, "if it were in my power to attack the Wyandots and 
Mingocs at this time." Difficulties, however, had already in- 
terposed. The Maryland corps in August deserted their posts 
on the frontier of Westmoreland, and, in a body, marched to the 
other side of the mountains. The time for starting was post- 
poned until the twelfth of October. Meanwhile, the colonel 
was informed that no help need be expected from the com- 
mander-in-chief. 

» ncckcwcldcr to Brodhead, 14 Aug., 1780, MS. 



Introduction. Jjd 



"It is much to be regretted," are the words of Washington, 
" that the state of our regular troops will not admit of a detach- 
ment sufficient to reduce the posts of the enemy to the west- 
ward, or even to undertake anything offensive against the hos- 
tile tribes of Indians." " If a sufficient quantity of provisions 
can be obtained," wrote Brodhead to the commander-in-chief 
on the fifth of September, " I will yet visit the Wyandots by 
the first of ]N"ovember." But insurmountable obstacles were 
encountered. On the seventeenth of October, all his hopes 
had vanished. " In full confidence that a sufficient supply of 
provisions," he wrote, " would, sooner or later, be furnished for 
the troops in this district, as well as for such number of militia 
as policy or the exigencies of affairs might render necessary 
to call into action, I, with a view to cut off the Wyandots and 
other Indian towns that were very troublesome to our settle- 
ments, called for a draft from the militia, at three different 
times, and was as often disappointed in obtaining provisions." 

Brodhead's mortification at this failure was great. Under 
the comparative quietude of defensive measures only, he grew 
impatient. His temperament was ardent; his bravery un- 
doubted. Ko one more fully realized the importance of acting 
on the offensive, in Indian warfare; and especially at this junc- 
ture in the affairs of the western border was such a policy desir- 
able. "I cannot but lament the repeated disappointments we 
have met with," are his despairing words, " for want of resources 
to enable us to retaliate on the hell-hounds of the forest. But I 
must console myself with a consciousness that the blame lies 
not at my door." " The want of provisions," wrote Washing- 
ton, " is a clog to our operations in every quarter." "The small- 
ness of your force," he continued, " will not admit of an expedi- 
tion of any consequence had you magazines. You must there- 
fore of necessity, confine yourself to partizan strokes, which I 
wish to be encouraged." ^ Under all these discouragements, 
the gallant colonel maintained his equanimity: " I am sensible 
it would be greatly to my advantage to retire, but I love the 

•Washington to Brodhead, 13 Oct., 1780, MS. 
4 



oO Washincjton-Trmne Corresjyondence. 

cause in which we are engaged and wish to entertain the pleas- 
ing reflection tliat I did not quit the field nntil I had seen the 
freedom of my country fully established." 

The punishment received by the Wyandots in July below 
Fort Pitt did not check the marauds of the savages into other 
settlements; especially were their visits frequent into the ex- 
posed parts of northwestern Yirginia. About the middle of 
August, ten men were killed at one time, in Monongalia 
county. A month subsequent, seven were massacred or taken 
prisoners upon the waters of Tenmile creek. " The state of 
our frontiers," were the disconsolate words of a citizen of 
Monongalia in October, " is really deplorable; even while some 
of ns are engaged in burying our neighbors, others are falling 
a sacrifice to the hellish inventions of the savages," 

An event afterward took place which tended to increase the 
efficiency of the militia upon the frontiers to the south and 
southwest of Pittsburgh. This was the passage of an act by 
the general assembly of Pennsylvania, March 28, 1781, 
erecting into a new county called Washington, all the territory 
between the Monongahela and Ohio and extending south and 
west to the boundary line between that state and Virginia. A 
county lieutenant — James Marshel — was appointed for the 
county thus created. His efficiency in organizing new battal- 
ions was at once recognized. 

From the time that Brodhead had taken command at Fort 
Pitt, he had made the most strenuous endeavors to preserve 
friendly relations with the Delawares, who, ever since the war 
began, had been objects of suspicion to the borderers. It was 
not known, of course, at what moment they might take up 
the hatchet, in which event their proximity to the settlements 
would give them great advantages for mischief. Besides, it 
was well understood that some of them were actually hostile 
while the nation at large was, professedly, the ally of the 
United States. The inability of the government to carry 
out treaty stipulations, and the influences and threats of the 
British and their Indian allies, induced them finally, though 
unwillingly, to rise against the border, only a small band re- 



Introduction. 51 



maining in the interest of the United States. Thus the Indian 
war, earlj in 1781, became general, — not a single tribe in the 
country beyond the Ohio remaining friendly. 

The commander of the western department was early in- 
formed of the defection of the Delawares. " The people at 
Coshocton," wrote John Ilecke welder, a missionary, from one 
of the Moravian villages,^ upon the Tuscarawas, to Brodhead, 
on the twenty-sixth of February, "have been very busy in 
trying to deceive you this long time." "I indeed believe," 
he continued, " that the greater part of them will be upon you 
in a few days." "They have arranged themselves in three 
parties," he added, " and, if I am right, one party is gone 
already; but I hope they will receiv^e what they deserve." 
And thus wrote, also, a friendly Delaware Indian from the 
Moravian towns: "Everybody here knows that the Coshocton 
men are getting ready to go and fight you." jSTow, the leader 
of these hostile Delawares was the war-chief Winganund. 
Brodhead, acting upon a suggestion of the patriotic mis- 
sionary,^ determined, thereupon, to carry the war to the homes 
of the Coshocton Indians.^ 

It was well that Brodhead made this resolve, for, at that 
very time, the Delawares were earnestly soliciting the British 
commandant at Detroit to send traders among them, declaring 
that they would no longer listen " to the Virginians," who, 
they said, had deceived them. The artful but humane De- 
Peyster encouraged them, but added: "I am pleased when I 
see what you call live meat, because I can speak to it and get 
information; scal])S serve to show that you have seen the 
enemy, but they are of no use to me; I cannot speak to them. "^ 

On the seventh of April, the commander left Fort Pitt with 
over one hundred and fifty regulars, on an expedition against 

1 There were three of the Moravian Indian villages — New SchcEubrunn, Gnadenhuet- 
ten and Salem. They were all located in the valley of the Tuscarawas, some distance 
above Coshocton, and within the present limits of Tuscarawas county, Ohio. 

'^ " If it shall be concluded on that a body of men should marcb to Coshocton to pun- 
ish those wicked people," etc. — Heckewelder to Brodhead, in Penn. Arch., VIII, p. 771. 

'Brodhead to Col. David Shepherd, 5 March, ITSl, original letter. Compare Penn. 
Arch., IX, pp. 39, 52, 57, 97; The Olden Time, II, pp. 339-393. 

■•Be Peyster's " Miscellanies," p. 233. By live meat, ho meant "prisoners, styled so 
by the Indians." 



Wash ington-lrvine Correspondence. 



tliG Delawares, dropping clown to Wheeling where David 
Shepherd, lieutenant of Ohio county, Yirginia, had collected 
one hundred and thirty-four of the militia of his county, in- 
cluding officers.^ With them were a few friendly Indians — 
Captains Montour and Wilson and three other warriors- — 
who evinced a keen desire for the scalps of the hostile Dela- 
wares. On the tenth, the united force made its way across the 
Ohio, taking the nearest route to Coshocton. Shepherd's divi- 
sion consisted of four companies. The savages were com- 
pletely surprised. Their town was laid waste; also a village 
of theirs just below.^ Fifteen of their warriors were killed 
and over twenty prisoners taken. Large quantities of peltry* 
and other stores were destroyed, and about forty head of cattle 
killed. The Americans then proceeded up the valley to New- 
comer's town, where there were about thirty friendly Delaware 
Indians, who were occupying the place. From them, as well 
as from the Moravian missionaries and their converts, whose 
towns were not far away, the troops experienced great kind- 
ness, obtaining a sufficient supply of meat and corn to subsist 
themselves and their horses to the Ohio. The plunder brought 
in by the troops sold for a large sum.^ The expedition proved 
a decided success; for the hostile Delawares now entirely for- 
sook the valley of the Tuscarawas and Muskingum, never 
again occupying either as a permanent abode — drawing back 
to the Scioto, the Mad river and the Sandusky, receiving mean- 

^Bosfer of Col. Shepherd's Division: David Shepherd, colonel; Samnel McColloch, 
major; Isaac Meeks, adjutant; William Mclntyre, quarter master; James Lemon, ser- 
geant major; Jonathan Zaue, spy; Captain Joseph Ogle, two lieutenants, one ensign, 
two sergeants, and sixty-four privates; Captain Benjamin Koyce, one lieutenant, two 
sergeants, and twenty-seven privates; Captain Jacoh Lefler, one sergeant, and nine 
privates; Captain William Cravylord, one sergeant, and thirteen privates. Time of ser- 
vice, from April 10th to April 2Sth (1781), inclusive. 

2 Brodhead to Uuntington, August 23, 1781. 

5 Known at this time as " ludaochaie;" but, when previously occupied by Moravian 
Indians, it was called ''Lichtenau." It was in what is now Tuscarawas township, Co- 
shocton county, Ohio, two and a half miles below Coshocton. 

* Not "poltry," as printed in Tenn. Arch., IX, p. IGl. 

* Brodhead to Shepherd, 10 Murch and 3 April, 1781, original letters. Shepherd's pay 
roll of the Coshocton campaign, original MS. Brodhead to the commanding officer of 
Monongahela militia, 5 Apr., 1781, in Brodhead's 5IS. letter book for that year. Brod- 
head to Sup. Ex. Council, 21 May, 1731, in Penn. Arch., IX, p. 161. Same to Congress, 
Si May, 1781, in I'enn. Packet of June 5th, 1781, which was Brodhead's official report of 
his "Coshocton Campaign." 



Introduction. 53 



while, every encouragement from the British commander at 
Detroit, who now addressed them as his "children."' The 
friendly Delawares, at Newcomer's town, put themselves under 
the protection of Brodhead and marched with him to Fort 
Pitt for safety. It was well they did, for, in a few days, eighty 
hostile Delawares, headed by a chief of the same tribe, came 
to the Tuscarawas valley in pursuit of them. 

Although the faihire of Mcintosh in his designs upon De- 
troit had discouraged further attempts in that direction, yet 
Washington ever kept in view an undertaking against that 
post, to be carried into execution with a continental force. 
He well knew that so long as it continued in possession of the 
enemy it would be a constant source of trouble to the whole 
western frontier; but the want of men and supplies as Brod- 
head at Fort Pitt fully realized, had thus far rendered it 
impossible to move successfully in the enterprise. Finally, 
however, the governor of Virginia informed the commander- 
in-chief that he thought he should be able, with the aid of 
some artillery and stores already at Pittsburgh, to accomplish 
this most desirable object. George Rogers Clark was to 
command the expedition. Washington, who favored the enter- 
prise and determined to give it all the aid in his power, 
believed it could not be committed to better hands. Of Clark, 
he wrote: "I have not the pleasure of knowing the gentle- 
man; but, independently of the proofs he has given of his 
activity and address, the unbounded confidence which I am 
told the western people repose in him, is a matter of vast im- 
portance; as I imagine a considerable part of his force will 
consist of volunteers and militia, who are not to be governed 
by military laws, but must be held by the ties of confidence 
and affection to their leader." Brodhead was enjoined to give 
countenance and assistance to the enterprise. He was assured 
that, while offensive operations were going forward against 
Detroit and the Indians in alliance with the British in that 
quarter, the posts in the western department would, with 
small garrisons in them, and by the exercise of proper vigi- 

> De Peyster to the Delawares, June 7, 1783, in "Miscellanies " of that officer, pp. 253, 
254. 



5^ Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

lance, be perfectly secure. This assurance, however, did not 
satisfy the ambition of Brodhead. Ilis restless spirit could 
hardly brook confinement within the walls of Fort Pitt while 
others were, probably, soon to gather laurels which he had 
fondly imagined were to encircle his own brow. But, being 
a true friend of his country, he would obey orders though he 
could not conceal his chagrin: "I have hitherto been encour- 
aged to flatter myself that I should sooner or later be enabled 
to reduce Detroit. But it seems the United States cannot 
furnish either troops or resources for the purpose, but the state 
of Virginia can." And again: "I have just received instruc- 
tions from the commander-in-chief to detach my field pieces, 
howitzers and train, also a part of my small force, under Col- 
onel Clark, who, I am told, is to drive all before him by his 
supposed unbounded influence in the western country." 

On the seventh of May, 17S1, Brodhead left Fort Pitt for 
Philadelphia on public business,^ giving the command of that 
post and the western department, during his absence, to Col- 
onel John Gibson, whom he thus addressed: " Having obtained 
leave from his excellency, the commander-in-chief, to proceed 
to Philadelphia and represent the aflairs of this department, 
I intend to set out immediately. You will remain in com- 
mand until it is determined that you are otherwise ordered by 
proper authority. Should this happen before my i-eturn, the 
command will then devolve on Lieutenant-Colonel [Stephen] 
Bayard." 2 

The arrival of Clark in the trans- Alleghany country awakened 
much enthusiasm in many of the settlements of both states 
in aid of his expedition. But, in some, owing principally to 
the unsettled state of affairs caused by the boundary contro- 
versy, a determined opposition was manifested. Brodhead, 
also, had availed himself of a certain discretion given him by 
the commander-in-chief to withhold some supplies. How- 
ever, definite orders having been received by Gibson from 
Washington, after Brodhead's departure, all the articles de- 

> Brodhervd to Baron Steuben, September 6, 1781, MS. 

* Brodhead to Gibson, May 6, 1781, MS. For a biographical sketch of Bayard, see Ap- 
pendix M,— Bayard to Irvine, April 5, 1783, note. 



Introduction. 55 



manded were turned over to Clark which it was thought could 
be spared consistent with the safety of the garrison at Fort 
Pitt. Finally, with volunteers and militia obtained from the 
country/ and a regiment of Virginia state troops — Colonel 
Joseph Crockett's — together with the detachment of artillery 
at Fort Pitt commanded by Captain Isaac Craig,^ in all about 
four hundred men,^ having three field pieces, ordnance and 
other stores, — Clark, near the close of July,^ moved down the 
Ohio from Pittsburgh for the falls (Louisville), stopping at 
Wheeling on the way. "He left this place with a great many 
boats large and small," says a writer at Pittsburgh, about a 
month after, "a very large quantity of flour, some salt, a good 
deal of whisky and very little beef, and that little he chiefly 
lost before he got to Wheeling where he continued some days. 

... At and about Wheeling, he was joined by numbers 
from that country, to what amount I cannot tell, and deserted 
by near a hundred of the militia who left this place with 
liim."^ 

A Pennsylvania force composed of volunteers and a company 
of state troops (rangers) raised for the defense of Westmore- 
land county, all under command of Archibald Locliry, lieuten- 
ant of that county, on its way down the river to join Clark, 
was, on account of information derived from an intercepted 
note of the latter by the enemy, attacked by Indians under 
command of Captain Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea) and 
George Girty (who, after his brothers Simon and James had 
joined the enemies of his country, had deserted and was now 
in the employment of Great Britain) on the twenty-fourth of 
August, about eleven miles below the mouth of •the Great 
Miami, in what is now the the state of Indiana. Every 

'Clark to Shepherd, original letters of 2d, 8th and 18th of July, 1781, MS. 

2 Craig to Clark from Fort Pitt, July 2", 1781, original letter. Gibson to Washington, 
August 25, 1781, MS. Captain (afterward Major) Craig's command at Fort Pitt was a 
detachment from the fourth Pennsylvania regiment of artillery, and a detachment of 
artillery artificers. Captain Craig left Carlisle for Fort Pitt May 33, 17!rO, and reached 
that post June 25, following. (Ante, p. 48.) 

' Gibson to Washington, just cited. 

■• MS. Mem. of Capt. Craig, of July 29, 1781. Compare Poun. Mag. of Hist, and Biog., 
Vol. IV. p. 248. 

"Ephraim Douglass to Gen. James Irvine, 29 Aug. 17S1, in Pcnn. Mag. of Hist, and 
Biog., just cited. 



WasJdngton-Irvine Correspondence. 



man present of the Americans — numbering in all over one 
hundred — was killed or captured.^ Colonel Lochry was 
amonir the slain. Because of this unfortunate event and the 
passing of an act by Virginia authorizing its governor to stop 
the expedition, causing the non-arrival of other expected 
re- enforcements, Clark, who was at the falls, was compelled 
to abandon the enterprise.^ Captain Craig, with his com- 
mand, made his way back to Fort Pitt, where he arrived, after 
many hardships, on the twenty-sixth of November. 

Brodhead returned to Pittsburgh on the eleventh of August. 
He was then involved in a controversy with some of his 
officers who had preferred charges against him. Immediately 
upon his arrival and while preparations were making for his 
trial, a question of rank arose between him and Colonel Gib- 
son. It proved a bitter quarrel — a contest for the command 
of the department. He wrote Washington on the nineteenth, 
that, by the clamor of some disaffected persons and others, he 
found himself in the most disagreeable situation he ever 
experienced. On the twentj^-ninth matters had not improved. 
"Things here," he again wrote the commander-in-chief, "are 
in the utmost confusion; some officers confessing me to be 
the commanding officer, and others, Colonel Gibson ; nor is it 
likely they will change until your excellency's pleasure is 
expressed." It was claimed by Colonel Gibson and his adher- 
ents that, as they interpreted the instructions of the com- 
mander-in-chief, they could not with propriety be commanded 
by Brodhead until he had cleared himself of the charges 
exhibited against him which were then pending. 

1 statement of Robert Orr, MS. Brig. Gen. Wm. Irvine to Congress from Fort Pitt, 
December 3, 1781, Appendix A. Penn. Paclcct, March 12, 1782 (No. 857). Devcrcux 
Smitti to Gen. Irvine, September 13, 1782, Appendix M. Consult also, in this connec- 
tion, Vermont Hist. Soc. Coll., 11, pp. 343, 314; McBride's Pion. Biog., I, pp. 2*8-287; 
Pcnn. Arch,, IX, pp. 333, 458, 468, 574; Col. Eec. Pa., XIII, pp. 155, 167, 324; Sparka' 
Corr. Amer. Rev., Ill, p. 4.56. 

a Clark to the Gov. of Va., from "Fort Nelson" (Louisville), October 6, 1781, MS. 
For further information concerning Clark's intended attack on Detroit, see The 
Olden Time, Vol. II, pp. .344, 34.5. 

3" John Gibson, Col. commanding at Fort Pitt; Fred'k Vernon, Major 8th Pa. RegH; 
Uriah Springer, Capt., 7th Va. Reg't;" and eleven other officers; — to Brodhead, Aug. 
19, 1781, MS. The charges were principally, that he had speculated with the public 
funds. (Peun. Arch., IX, pp. 97, 300.) 



Introduction. 57 



"Dissensions run higli in every department of our trans- 
inontane conntry," wrote a close observer of affairs from Pitts- 
burgh. "Those between Virginia and Pennsylvania are not 
yet entirely healed, and a variety of new ones have been cre- 
ated; the citizen is opposed to the soldier and a variety of 
parties formed from opinion, prejudice, or prospects of inter- 
est among themselves abstracted from their quarrels with the 
army about which they are also divided — and have had the 
fortune or address to create divisions among the military 
people themselves, two of whom, the highest in rank, are at 
this time contending for the command and each supported by 
his friends and adherents."^ 

Just before the departure of Clark from Fort Pitt and be- 
fore the return of Brodhead from the east, the former sug- 
gested to Gibson that, with the troops who were to be left 
behind on account of being illy supplied with clothing, and 
with as many volunteers or militia as could be called out 
readily for that purpose, he ought to make an excursion 
against the "Wyandots upon the Sandusky; Clark would, at 
the same time, begin his march from the mouth of the Miami 
river against the Shawanese, on his way to Detroit, which was 
intended to be about the fourth of September. The matter was 
laid before Brodhead immediately opon his arrival at Pitts- 
burgh, who approved of the enterprise, and, claiming the right 
of command, issued circular letters to the county lieutenants 
to aid the undertaking. Early in September, at Fort Mcin- 
tosh, was the time and place fixed upon for rendezvous. It 
was determined that the country people going upon the expe- 
dition should be considered volunteers and might elect their 
own officers; that each man should provide himself with a 
horse and thirty days' provisions; and that the whole should 
bring as many spare horses as would mount one hundred and 
fifty regulars — the number Gibson proposed to take with him 
upon the occasion, from Fort Pitt.'^ Preparations were im- 
mediately made for the enterprise. A number of volunteers 

>Ephraim Douglass to Gen. James Irvine from Pittsburgh, August 23, 1781, in Pcnn. 
Mag. of Hist, and Biog., IV, p. 247. 
2 Gibson to Washington, 25 Aug., 1T81, MS. 



58 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

was enrolled — leading citizens of the country taking an act- 
ive part in aiding the project, and offering their services for 
the campaign. "An expedition," wrote Brodhead, on the 
twenty-third of August, "against the Sanduskies, is in con- 
templation." As he considered himself, at that time, in 
command of the western department, he expressed his desire 
to promote the undertaking. To Washington he wrote: " The 
troops will rendezvous at Fort Mcintosh, on the 4th and otli 
of next month; the country appears desirous to promote 
it [the expedition] ; and I intend to command it, if they, the 
militia and volunteers, do not sufter themselves to be induced 
into a belief, that I have no right to command." 

At the moment when every thing seemed auspicious for the 
success of the enterprise alarming intelligence reached Fort 
Pitt from the banks of the Tuscarawas. David Zeisberger, one 
of the Moravian missionaries there, had dispatched a messen- 
ger to the commander at Pittsburgh with a written message 
to the effect that a large number of Indians — about two hun- 
dred and fifty in all — was approaching the settlements with 
the intention, probably, of going to Wheeling, but they might 
attack some of the other posts. " They will try," said he, " to 
deco}'- the garrison out where they will lie in ambush." "The 
party is headed," continued the missionary "by Matthew El- 
liott and a few English and French. The Indians are Wyan- 
dots, Delawares, Monseys, and a small number of Shawanese." 
"You will be careful," he added, "not to mention that you 
had this intelligence from our towns; for it would prove dan- 
gerous for us if the Indians should get knowledge of it; which 
might happen by a prisoner, if they should take one."^ 

" Last evening I was honored with your obliging letter," 
was the response of Brodhead to the missionary, " for which 
be pleased to accept my best thanks. AVe shall be uj^on 
our guard and give the wicked a warm reception." ^ The com- 
manding ofHcer at Fort Henry (Wheeling) was soon informed 
by Brodhead of the coming of the enemy. "You will imme- 

> David Zeisberger to Brodhead, Aug. 18, 1781, MS. Just what Zeisberger feared 
would liappcn did talcc place, as will hereafter be shown. 
^Brodlicad's MS. letter book, August ;i5, ITSl. 



Introduction. 59 



diately put your garrison in the best posture of defence," he 
wrote, " and lay in as great quantity of water as circtt-mstances 
will admit, and receive them coolly. They intend to decoy 
your garrison, but you are to guard against stratagem, and de- 
fend the post to the last extremity." " You must not fail," 
he added, "to give the alarm to the inhabitants within your 
reach, and make it as general as possible, in order that every 
man may be prepared at this crisis." Brodhead also sent let- 
ters to the county lieutenants and one to the commandant of 
Fort Mcintosh, with information of the threatened attack. 

As might be expected, the excitement was intense all along 
the border. Fort Henry was immediately placed in a proper 
condition for defense. The borderers everywhere put them- 
selves in readiness to meet the foe. " The country has taken 
the alarm," wrote Brodhead, " and several hundred men are 
now in arms upon the frontier." It was not long before the 
Indians made their appearance, as was expected, in the vicin- 
ity of Wheeling, being but a part, however, of those who 
were at the Moravian Indian towns. Of three boys outside 
of Fort Henry, at the time, one was killed, and one — David 
Glenn — was made prisoner. The other effected his escape 
inside the fortification, slightly wounded. In a moment, the 
garrison was ready to receive the savages. The latter, seeing 
the borderers fully prepared for them, soon disappeared, doing 
but little mischief, except killing all the cattle they could 
find.^ Their depredations up Wheeling and Buffalo creeks, 
however, were, before they re-crossed the Ohio, much more 
serious. They killed and captured several persons.^ 

The intelligence sent by Zeisberger, the Moravian mission- 
ary, to Brodhead was not well kept.^ The captured boy, Glenn, 
informed the savages " that the garrison at Wheeling and the 
country in general were alarmed and on their guard; that 
they had been notified of the intention of the Indians by 

» De Hass' Hist. Ind. Wars W. Va., p. 25S, Heckewelder's Narr , pp. 262, 203. Dr. 
Joseph Doddridge's MSS. Gibson to Washington, September 30, 1781, MS. State- 
ment of Mrs. Lydia Cruger, 1845, MS. 

* Statement of Uenry Jolly, lh38, MS. Dr. Jos. Doddridge's Narr. of the second and 
third attacks upon Fort Henry, MS. Statement of Mrs. Lydia Cruger, 1845, MS. 

* Zeisberger, it seems, sent two expresses. 



60 Was/iuigton-Tt'vme Correspondence. 

letters sent to Pittsburgh by the Moravian ministers. This 
exasperated tlie warriors so much that they took the mission- 
aries prisoners, tied them, and destroyed everything they had, 
and ordered the whole of the Moravian Indians to get up and 
move off with their families, or they would cut them all oflF, 
which they were obliged to consent to." ^ The day after the 
arrest of the ministers, another party of savages returned 
from the border settlements to Gnadenhuetten, bringing with 
them as prisoner a white man who had been captured some 
distance from Wheeling. He corroborated the story of the 
boy-prisoner as to the missionaries having sent word to Fort 
Pitt of the intentions of the Indians. 

The missionary establishments upon the Tuscarawas were 
thus broken up, news of which was brought to Gibson at 
Pittsburgh by a Moravian Indian woman who made her escape 
from the warriors and came into that place on the seventh of 
September. The information soon spread through all the set- 
tlements of the border counties. The missionaries and their 
converts were taken to the Sandusky river by the savage allies 
of Great Britain, under the lead of that "infamous rascal, 
Matt. Elliot," ' where, at a point a little over two miles south 
of the present Upper Sandusky, county-seat of Wyandot 
county, Ohio, but on the opposite (east side) of the river, they 
prepared to spend the winter. ' Upon their arrival in the 
Wyandot country, they were left in great destitution. The 
ministers were compelled to visit Detroit to be examined by 
De Peyster, the commandant, touching their correspondence 
with the Americans. They were afterward permitted to 
return to the Sandusky, as the evidence in possession of the 
Detroit commander was not sufficient for their detention. 
They had, however, on many occasions favored the Fort Pitt 
commanders with important information, to the prejudice of 
the English and British Indians; and this, too, of their own 
free will.^ Their fidelity to the Americans was, so long as 



1 Gibson to Washington, from Fort Pitt, September 30, 1781, MS. 

9 Brij;. Gen. Wm. Irvine, from Fort Pitt, to his wife, December 29, 17S1, Appendix L. 
5 Gibson to Jefferson, from Fort Pitt, May 33, 1781, MS. Compare also, Pcun. Arch., 
YII, pp. 516, 524, 541 —VIII, pp. 152, !5?, 170. 



Introduction. 61 



tliej remained upon the Tuscarawas, always to be relied 
upon. 

ISTot long after and while the "Wyandots were upon the "Wal- 
bonding on their way back, with the missionaries and the 
Moravian Indians, to Sandusky, seven of their number, of whom 
three were sons of the Half King,^ left the main body and 
again marched for the border, raiding into a small settlement 
on Harman's creek, in Washington county, taking one prisoner 
— a man about sixty years of age. The savages immediately 
started on their return, but were soon pursued by a number 
of settlers, to the Ohio river, where they were overtaken and 
all killed except one; and he, their leader, Scotash by name, 
escaped wounded. The white prisoner was released. Andrew 
Poe, one of the pursuers, his gun missing fire, boldly sprang 
upon and grappled two of the Indians — sons of the Half 
King. Durinw a most violent struirsrle, which was continued 
first on shore and then in the river, Andrew killed one of the 
■ Indians but was himself badly wounded. Adam Poe, a brother, 
coming to his relief, shot the other savage. Meanwhile, An- 
drew then in the water, by mistake received a second wound 
from one of his own men. The settlers lost one killed.^ 

The conflict of authority at Fort Pitt, together with the 
Indian invasion, caused a postponement of the expedition 
against Sandusky. Finally, the contest between the command- 
ers continuing, the enterprise was wholly abandoned.'^ Wash- 
ington put an end to the dispute, by ordering Brodhead to 



1 "As early a8 the spring of 1779, the three sons of the Half King went, in company, 
to war against the border." — Heckewclder to Brodhead, April 9,1779, MS. It was, 
therefore, not a new thing for all three to be together upon a marauding expedition. 

'Recollections of the Captivity of Thomas Edgington, as related by his son, Geo. 
Edgington, 1845, MS. Pension statement of Adam Poe, 1833, MS. copy. Statement of 
Wm. Walker, MS. Consult, in this connection, Heckcwelder's Narr., pp. 279, 281, 305; 
Smith's Hist. Jeff. College, p. 391, note; De Hass' Hist. Ind. Wars VV. Va., p. 33'!. Mc- 
Knight's Western Border, p. 443. Schweinitz' Life and Times of David Zeisberger, 
p. 517. But neither of the savages killed was named Big Foot (there was never a Wyandot 
chief so called); nor was either of the sons of the Half King of unusual size. It is 
with regret that I am compelled thus to spoil, somewhat, the romance of the famous 
fight of "Andrew Poe and Big Foot," which story has long been the delight of youthful 
readers. 

'Gibson to Shepherd, September 12,1781, original letter. Brig. Gen. Wm. Irvine, 
from Fort Pitt, to Washington, December 3, 1731, post. Sparks' Corr. Amor. Rev., Ill, 
p. 452. The Oldeu Time, II, p. 533. 



62 Washlngto7i-Irvine Corresj>07idence. 

resign his command during the dependence of his trial, to 
Colonel Gibson, the latter to " assume the like command at 
the post of Fort Pitt and its dependencies, as had been com- 
mitted to Colonel Brodhead." ^ On the seventeenth of Sep- 
tember, 1781, the latter quietly turned over his charge as 
directed by the commauder-in-chief, and was relieved from the 
command in the west.^ 



1 Washington to Brodhead, September 6, 1731, MS. Same to Gibson, same date, MS. 
Washington's letter to Gibson was as follows : 

'•Head of Elk [now Elkton, Maryland], S^p^. 6th, 1781 . 

"Sir:— Colonel Brodhead having been directed. In my letter to him of this date, to 
resign his command at Fort Pitt, during the dependence of his trial, on sundry accusa- 
tions brought against him whilst in command [the principal of which was for specu- 
lating with public funds], you will immediately upon the receipt of this assume the 
lilis command at the post of Fort Pitt and its dependencies, as has been committed to 
Colonel Brodhead. 

"Mr. [Alexander] Fowler, who appears to have been a principal in the accusation 
brought against Colonel Brodhead, insisting that he has a right in this instance to act 
as judge advocate, from his having been in that capacity for some time past, you will, 
from the manifest impropriety in this case, direct that Mr. Fowler do not appear nor 
act as deputy advocate, in tiking the depositions necessary on this trial, nor in any 
other way in the present case as judge advocate; and you will appoint some person' 
whom you shall think proper, to act in such manner as directed in any former letters 
on this occasion. In this way I hope to have this disagreeable dispute speedily 
issued. 

" I am. etc., 

" G. Washington. 
"To Col. John Gibson, 

" Fort Pitt." 

Washington's Icttor to Brodhead was in these words: 

" Head of Elk, Sept. 6th, 1781. 

" Sir."— I have received your letter of 23d Augt., with its enclosures. Had you ad- 
verted to the plain construction of mine of the 5th of May, you would not have been in 
doubt as to the propriety of your holding the command at Fort Pitt, wliile your trial 
was preparing and hearing. As you seem to have misconstrued my meaning in that 
letter, I have now to request, in positive terms, that you do immediately, on receipt of 
this, resign your command to Col. Gibson, who will immediately thereupon assume the 
same command as has been committed to you. 

"In the meantime, I request that this unhappy dispute may be brought to as speedy 
an issue as possible. 

" I am, dear sir, your most humble servant, 

" Geo. Washington. 
" Col. Brodhead." 

» Gibson to Washington, September 30, 1781, MS. Daniel Brodhead was born at Mar- 
bletown, Ulster county. New York, in 17-5G. His great gjandf'ather, Daniel Brodhead, 
was a royalist and captain of grenadiers in the reign of Charles II. He came with the 
ccpedition under Colonel Nichols in 16(i4, that captured the Netherlands (now New 
York) from the Dutch, and settled in Marblotown in 1665. Ilis son Richard, and his son 
Daniel, the lather of the subject of this sketch, also resided in Marbletown. Daniel 
Brodhead, Sr., in 1733, removed to a place called Dansville, on Brodhead's creek, near 
Stroudsburgh, Monroe county, Pennsylvania, when Daniel Brodhead, Jr., was an infant. 
The latter and his brothers became famous for their courage in conflicts with the In- 



Introduction. 63 



The western department was, at this time, in much con- 
fusion. When the savages were at the Moravian Indian 
villages upon the Tuscarawas, it came to the ears of the mis- 
sionaries that the enemy expected to be joined by a party 
from Canada, consisting of British Americans and Indians, to 
the number of a thousand, who were reported to be on their 
way. "Guy Johnson," wrote Zeisberger to Brodhead, "is 
coming down by Presque isle [now Erie, Pennsylvania] with 
a thousand men to make a diversion and stop General [George 
Rogers] Clark's proceeding down the river [Ohio] ; because 
thej^ had intelligence that he [Clark] would come to Detroit 
with an army."^ There was some foundation for this report. 
It was proposed by the authorities in Canada (though after- 
wards given up) to make a diversion from that country to 
co-operate, by way of Fort Pitt, with an expedition from the 
southern army of the British, up the rivers Potomac and 
Susquehanna.^ 

At this juncture, Fort Pitt was little better than a heap of 
ruins. The regular force stationed there was wholly incom- 
petent to the exigencies of the service. The controversy 

dians on the border, their father's house having been attacked by the savages December 
lUh, 1755. Daniel became a resident of Reading in 1771, where he was deputy surveyor. 
In July, 1775, he was appointed a delegate from Berks county to the provincial conven- 
tion at Philadelphia. At the breaking out of the revolution, Daniel was elected a 
lieutenant-colonel (commissioned October 3j, 1776), and subsequently became colonel 
of the eighth Pennsylvania regiment; his promotion was March 12, 1777, to rank from 
September 29, 1776. He participated in the batt'.e of Long Island, and in other battles 
in which Washington's army was engaged, lie marched to Fort Pitt, as has already 
been stated, in the summer of 1778, his regiment forming a part of Brigadier-General 
Lachlan Mcintosh's command in the western department. Here, as we have seen, he 
served until the ne.xt spring, when he succeeded to tlic command in the west, head- 
quarters at Fort Pitt. He retained this position until September 17, 1781, as above 
mentioned, making a very efficient and active commander, twice leading expeditions 
into the Indian country, in boih of which he was successful; but was s\ipprscdedin Ms 
command at Pittsburgh by Colonel John Gibson, as indicated in Washington's letter 
to that officer, just given. Brodhead was, at that date, colonel of the 1st Pennsylvania 
regiment, to which position he was assigned January 17, 178t. After the war, he was 
surveyor general of Pennsylvania. He was appointed to that office November 3, 1789, 
and held the place eleven years, he having previously served in the general assembly. 
He died at Milford, Pike county, in that state, November 15, 1609. He was twice mar- 
ried. By his first wife he had two chiidrou ; by his second, none. In 1872, at Milford, 
an appropriate monument was erected to his memory. 

lZei^^berger to Brodhead, August 18, 1781, MS,, previously cited. Compare also, 
Penn. Mng. of Hist, and Biog., IV, p. 24^. 

"Haldimand to Sir Henry Clintoa, September 29, 1731, in Vermont Hist. Soc. Coll., 
II, p. 342. 



6^ Washington- Irvine C orresjpondence. 

about the command of the post had greatly increased the dis- 
order. The garrison was in want of pay, of clothing, of even 
subsistence itself, and, as a consequence, was in a mutinous 
condition. The militia of the department was without proper 
organization; and when called into service, destitute, to a 
great extent, of military knowledge and discipline. 

The civil government of the country was even in a worse 
state than the military, on account of the excitement regard- 
ing the boundary between Pennsylvania and Virginia. Both 
states, before the war, had asserted their claims to, and exer- 
cised an organized jurisdiction over, the disputed territory. 
As between the two commonwealths, the quarrel was brought 
to an end, virtually, in 1779; but bitter feeling still existed 
among the people — the line was not yet run. As a conse- 
quence of having long contemned the authority of a neigh- 
boring state, many had come into open disrespect of their 
own. Hence, there was a restlessness prevailing in the coun- 
try, and a desire, on the part of some, to emigrate into the 
wilderness beyond the Ohio to form a new state. 

Such was the disorder — the confusion — which beset the 
western department at the moment of the threatened invasion. 
Washington fully appreciated the difficulties. Something 
must be done and done quickly. Above all things, a com- 
mander was needed at Fort Pitt, possessed not only of courage 
and firmness, but of prudence and judgment. The com- 
mander-in-chief, with great care and concern, looked about 
him for such a person. His choice for the position, after due 
deliberation, fell upon a resident of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, an 
officer at the head of the second brigade of that state — 
Brigadier General William Irvine. 




1^' 



Oni<^ 



c/ 



7 / ' / > r- 



BRI&, GEN. WJI.LIAM IPA^NE 



Introduction. 65 



CHAPTER YI. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF WILLIAM IRVINE. 

William Irvine was born in county Fermanagh, Ireland, 
JSTovember 3, 1741. His ancestry originally emigrated from 
Scotland. His elementary education commenced at a gram- 
mar school in Enniskillen, and was completed at the college 
of Dublin. He then entered the army as a cornet, but owing 
to a quarrel with his colonel resigned his commission. He 
afterward became a student of medicine and surgery, receiv- 
ing, at the close of his studies, an appointment as surgeon of 
a British ship of war. This was during the old French war. 
"While in the line of duty, he became acquainted with the 
condition of society in this country; and, a few months after 
the declaration of peace, he came to America, settling in the 
interior of Pennsylvania, where he afterward married Anne 
Callender, daughter of Robert Callender. The result of the 
marriage was a family of ten children — five sons and five 
daughters. At Carlisle, his place of residence, he soon gained 
the general confidence of the people, both as citizen and in 
the practice of his profession. 

Irvine early took part in the controversy which resulted in 
national independence. A meeting was held in Philadelphia, 
followed by similar assemblages in different counties. A pro- 
vincial convention assembled in that city July 15, 1774, which 
promptly recommended the selection and sitting of a general 
congress and passed resolutions of the most patriotic charac- 
ter. Of this convention, Irvine was a diligent and influential 
member. 

On the 6th of January, 1776, he was appointed (his com- 
mission being dated the 9th) to raise and command a regiment 
— the sixth of the Pennsylvania line. At its head, he marched 
to the mouth of the river Richelieu in Canada. On the 7th 
5 



66 Washingt07i-I rvine C orrespondence. 

of June, his regiment and three companies of Colonel Anthony 
Wayne's embarked in batteanx, under command of Gen. 
Thompson, and proceeded to Nicolet, where they were joined by 
Col. Arthur St. Clair, who had almost seven hundred men un- 
der his command. An attempt was then made against the 
vanguard of the British army, stationed at Three Rivers, 
about forty miles below, in hopes to surprise it, but result- 
ing in the loss to the Americans of about twenty-five men 
killed and two hundred made prisoners. Of the latter were 
the general in command and Colonel Irvine, who were carried 
to Quebec. Irvine was not exchanged until April 21, 1778, 
although released on parol August 3d, after his capture. 

Irvine was promoted to the command of the second Penn- 
sylvania brigade, being commissioned brigadier-general May 
12, 1779. From the date of his exchange as a prisoner of war, 
his career was an honorable one both as patriot and soldier. 
He took an active part in the service. He was in the battle of 
Monmouth, where he won special honors. But history has 
been strangely silent concerning them. He was actively en- 
gaged in the northern campaigns until the revolt of the Penn- 
sylvania line at the beginning of 1781. After this, he was 
employed in recruiting, until, in September of that year, he 
was ordered by congress, upon the recommendation of Wash- 
ington, to the command of the western department, headquar- 
ters at Fort Pitt, Pittsburgh. 

Irvine assumed command in the west early in ISTovember, 
1781. His first efforts were directed to the re-formation of 
the continental forces stationed at Pittsburgh. 

Not very long after his arrival, he received instructions to 
employ his garrison in repairing the fort. He immediately 
began the task, so as to meet, if possible, any emergency which 
might arise in case of an attack by the enemy. New pickets 
were prepared; and, to encourage the soldiers, Irvine labored 
with his own hands. This had a happy effect. Every officer 
followed his example. The greatest activity prevailed. In a 
short time the fort was put in a tolerable condition for a suc- 
cessful defense. But the work did not stop here. It was con- 
tinued for many months. In January, 1782, Irvine left his 



Inti'oduction. 67 



post for a short visit to his home in Carlisle, and to confer 
with congress and the commander-in-chief concerning affairs 
in the western department; having, however, previous to his 
departure, put the frontiers in as good state of defense as was 
practicable. Colonel John Gibson was in command during his 
absence. 

On the 8th of March, Washington sent instructions to Irvine 
at Carlisle to proceed with all convenient despatch to Fort 
Pitt, and when he should have arrived there to take such meas- 
ures for the security of the post and for the defense of the 
western frontier, as the continental force there stationed, com- 
bined with the militia of the neighboring country, would ad- 
mit. He reached that post on the 25th, finding, upon his 
arrival, the country people in a frenzy of excitement because 
of Indian raids. James Marshel, the lieutenant of Washing- 
ton county, Pennsylvania, had ordered out some militia to 
march across the Ohio river to the valley of the Tuscarawas, 
there to attack some hostile savages believed to be occupying 
what for a short time previous had been the deserted villages 
of the Moravian Indians. The force was commanded by 
David Williamson. Upon his arrival, he found a considerable 
number of men, women and children of "Moravians," and, it 
is said, some warriors. In the end, all were killed except 
two boys, who made their escape. 

The garrisons at Forts Pitt and Mcintosh were, upon the 
commander's return, in a mutinous condition. Great firmness 
had to be exercised by Irvine. The result was, before the end 
of May, besides the frequent application of "one hundred 
lashes well laid on," two of the soldiers suffered the death 
penalty. Meanwhile, owing to the increased boldness of the 
savages in penetrating into the exposed settlements, the country 
people became clamorous to be led against the Wyandot towns 
upon the Sandusky river, in what is now northwestern Ohio, 
whence came the greater portion of the warriors depredating 
upon the western border of Pennsylvania and of so much of Vir- 
ginia as lay upon the upper Ohio river. Irvine finally gave his 
consent to an expedition against these Indians, and exerted him- 
self to the best of his ability to forward the enterprise; issuing 



6S Washington-Irvine Corres^pondence. 



instructions to the one to be 'elected to command for his 
guidance. The carapaisjn proved unsuccessful, the borderers 
Buffering a loss of about fifty men. Colonel William Craw- 
ford, who led them into the wilderness, was captured by sav- 
ages and burned at the stake. 

ISTotwithstanding the departure of the volunteers against 
Sandusky, Irvine did not relax his watchful care over the in- 
habitants upon the border. A large portion of his time, 
after the return of the expedition until fall, was taken up in 
preparing for another enterprise against the same Indian 
settlements. This expedition he was to command in person. 
However, upon the assurance of the commander-in-chief of 
the British forces in America that the savages had all been re- 
quired to desist from further hostilities, it was, by order of 
General Washington, laid aside. The ensuing winter brought 
with it, occurrences of but little moment in the western de- 
partment. Irvine again visited his home in the spring, ar- 
riving there in March, 1T83. He left Lieutenant Colonel 
Stephen Bayard in command at Fort Pitt. 

Not long subsequent to his reaching Carlisle, he wrote 
Washington congratulating him upon the glorious news of 
peace which had just arrived in America. "With great sin- 
cerity," was the reply of the commander-in-chief, " I retuni 
you my congratulations." At the request of Washington, 
Irvine again returned to Pittsburgh, arriving out in May; 
here he remained until his final departure on the 1st day of 
October, 1783, when he turned over his command to a small 
continental force, his garrison having previously been fnr- 
loughed, except a small detachment. 

Irvine returned to his home in Carlisle, with health much 
impaired by exposure in the service. Pennsylvania acknowl- 
edged her gratitude for his labors by the donation of a valua- 
ble tract of land on Lake Erie, below Erie, Pennsylvania, 
known, afterward, as " Irvine's Reserve." 

The general was a member of the council of censors of his 
state in 1783 and 1784. On the 26th of March, 1785, he was 
appointed to examine and select the donation lands promised 
the troops of Pennsylvania. He reported the result of his 



Introduction, 60 



mission in ^N^ovember following. He advised the acquisition 
by purchase from the United States of the " triangle," which 
gave to his state a frontage (and one of the best harbors) on 
Lake Erie. He was afterward elected a member of congress 
from the Cumberland district (1786-8) under the confedera- 
tion. He took an early interest in internal improvements, not 
only of his own state but of the country at large. In 1790, 
he was elected a member of the constitutional convention of 
Pennsylvania, which framed the constitution adopted Septem- 
ber 2nd, of that year. In 1791, he was a commissioner to 
establish the boundary line between the counties of Hunting- 
don and Mifflin, his state, which had been in dispute. He 
settled the difficulty to the satisfaction of both parties. 
Irvine was a member of the board of commissioners appointed 
to arrange the national account between the several states and 
the general government, which began with the war for inde- 
pendence. The labors of the commission were concluded on 
the 29th of June, 1793, to the satisfaction of all concerned. 

Irvine was again honored, by the voters of the Cumberland 
district, with a seat in congress — this time, elected to the 
third congress (1793-1795), under the constitution of the 
United States. In 1791, he was appointed a commissioner 
with Andrew Elliott, to lay out the towns of Erie, Waterford, 
Warren and Franklin, Pennsylvania; he was also appointed 
one of the commissioners in an endeavor to settle the difficul- 
ties of the so-called "Whisky Insurrection" in western Penn- 
sylvania. Negotiations, however, failed and troops were ordered 
to march against the insurgents. Irvine as senior major gen- 
eral commanded the Pennsylvanians under Governor Mifflin. 
A successful march of the forces from eastern Pennsylvania, 
and of those from Kew Jersey, Maryland and Yirginia, re- 
sulted in quelling the disturbance. 

General Irvine was one of the thirteen presidential electors 
of Pennsylvania chosen in 1797, when John Adams was elected 
president. In 1798, he was appointed commander-in-chief of 
the Pennsylvania proportion of the quota of eight .^thousand 
militia ordered out by congress to serve during the expected 
French war. Upon the election of Jefferson to the presidency, 



70 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

Irvine was appointed intendant of military stores — an im- 
portant office, as it included the charge of arsenals, ordnance, 
supplies of the army, and supervision of Indian affairs. He 
was afterward made president of the Pennsylvania society of 
the Cincinnati, he having been elected treasurer at its first 
organization on the ith of October, 1783. He died in Phila- 
delphia (to which place he had removed from Carlisle) of an 
inflammatory disorder, on the 29th of July, 1804. He was a 
zealous patriot, a judicious statesman, an able military com- 
mander. In a word, he was a careful, intelligent, and con- 
scientious executor of all public trusts confided to his man- 
agement, and was noted as a man of incorruptible integrity. 



THE WASHINGTON-mVINE LETTERS. 



I. — Washington to Brig.- Gen. "William Irvine. 

Headquarters near York, November 1, 1781. 

Sir: — During the time of my being occupied in the siege 
of York,' I received a letter from Colonel Gibson,'' command- 
ing, at that time, at Fort Pitt,' inclosing sundry proceedings 
of courts martial held at that post, among which are two cap- 
ital cases, on which sentences of death are decreed by the court. 

Being informed by congress that you have been ordered to 

* Yorktowii was completely invested by the Americau and French forces ou 
the thu-tieth of September, 1781. On the nineteenth of October following, 
Lord Cornwallis surrendered. General Washington remained at his " Head- 
quarters near York " until the fifth of November, when he proceeded by way 
of Mount Vernon to Philadelphia. It was five days before his departure that 
the above letter to Irvine was written, as its date indicates. 

^ Col. John Gibson, of the seventh Virginia regiment, who has already been 
fr-?quently mentioned. For a biographical sketch of Gibson, see note to his 
letter to Irvine of Jan. 28, 1782, Appendix M. 

^ A fort — Duquesne — was built at this point — Pittsburgh — by the French 
at the commencement of the old French war, but was burned by them in 1758, 
immediately before the occupation of the place by the British under General 
Forbes. It was a strong fortification of earth and wood stockaded. In De- 
cember, 1758, the British erected a small stockade, with bastions, within two 
hundred yards of the ruins of the French post. The next year, however, was 
commenced a more formidable fortification. It was near the site of Fort Du- 
quesne, and was named Fort Pitt. It remained in possession of a British 
force until the latter part of the year 1772, when it was abandoned and con- 
siderably, though not wholly, destroyed. During the year 1773 a citizen of 
Pittsburgh — Edward Ward — had possession of what was left. It was, in 
1774, re-occupied and somewhat repaired by Captain John Conolly, under or- 
ders from Lord Dunmore, as a Virginia post, and its name changed to Forb 
Dunmore, though the Pennsylvanians still adhered to "Fort Pitt," which name 
was fully restored when Dunmore became odious to Virginia. It was vacated 
by Conolly just at the commencement of the revolution. Its first occupation 
after that struggle began was by Virginia troops under Captain John Neville, 
in 1775, as previously related, who were superceded early in 1777 by others 
raised in the immediate neighborhood of Pittsburgh. (See Introduction, 
p. 8, note 3.) Following these.as already mentioned, was a continental garri- 
son, first under Brigadier General Edward Hand, afterward under Bi-igadier 



72 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

the coiniiiand of tlkat post,^ I have to inform vou that the sen- 
tence of Meyndert Fisher, one of the abovfe, is not approved; 
and tliat upon application from his friends and some particu- 
lar information respecting him, I have to request that he be 
liberated from his confinement. 

The case of John Ilinds I know nothing of more than is 
contained in his trial. You will, therefore, please to order 
him to execution, or pardon him, as you shall think particular 
circumstances and the necessity of example may require.""^ 



II. — Irvine to "Washington. 

Fort Pitt, December 2,^ 1781. 
Sir: — At the time congress directed me to repair to this 
place,'' I took for granted your excellency would have infor- 
mation thereof, through different channels; and knowing how 

General Lachlan Mcintosh, whose successor was Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 
followed by Colonel John Gibson, in command in October, 1781, as indicated 
in the above letter. 

' The orders of congress were expressed in the following resolutions, passed 
by that body September 24, 1781: 

"Resolved, That Brigadier General Irvine be and hereby is ordered to re- 
pair forthwith to Fort Pitt, and take upon him the command of that garrison 
until further orders. 

" That Brigadier General Irvine be and hereby is authorized and directed to 
arrange the troops which compose the garrison of Fort Pitt and its dependen- 
cies in such manner as to retain no mora officers than are absolutely necessary 
for the number of non-commissioned officers and privates at those parts. 

" That Brigadier General Irvine be and hereby is authorized and directed 
to arrange the staff departments within his command so as to retain no more 
ofificers or persons in those departments than the service absolutely demands. 

" That he be and hereby is further empowered to call in from time to timo 
such aids of militia as may be necessary for the defense of the post under his 
command and the protection of the country. And, for this purpose, the exec- 
utives of the states of Virginia and Pennsylvania are requested to direct the 
proper officers of the militia in their respective states to obey such orders as 
they shall from time to time receive from Brigadier General Irvine for the 
purpose aforesaid." 

"^ Irvine, of course, liberated Fisher. What action was taken m Hind's 
case, a note to the next letter shows. 

*Thc day of the month is omitted in this letter as copied in Irvine's letter- 
book, but is inserted, as above, in the original sent Washington. 

* The instructions given by congress to Irvine, who was then in Philadel- 



Irvine to Washington. 73 

very particularly yon were at that moment engaged,^ I did not 
think proper to give unnecessary trouble. This, I flatter 
myself, Avill excuse me to your excellency for not writing 
sooner. Previous to my arrival,^ Colonel Gibson had received 

phia, were dated September 24, 1781. He did not leave the city immediately 
for Pittsburgh, for the reason thq,t a "small supply of cash " expected from 
congress had not been received. The time of his starting for Carlisle and the 
west was, probably, on the 9th of October, as the following letter written by 
the president of congress to the president of the supreme executive council of 
Pennsylvania, indicates (a similar one being sent the governor of Virginia): 

Philadelphia, October 8th, 1781. 
" Sir: — As Brigadier-General Irvine proposes to set out to-morrow in order 
to take command at Fort Pitt, and may very probably have occasion for the 
aid of the militia in the vicinity of that post, I thought it proper to procurfi a 
copy of his instructions and to transmit them to you. They are accordingly 
herewith enclosed ; and I rest assured every suitable measure will be adopted 
for affording him effectual support by the militia in casa of necessity. I have 
the honor to be, with the highest respect, sir, your excellency's most obedient 
servant, Tho. McKean, President. 

" His Excellency Joseph Reed, Esquire." 

^ Washington and Rochambeau reached LaFayette's headquarters near Wil- 
liamsburg, on the 14th of September. Here they remained until the 30th, 
when they completely invested Yorktown. Irvine's appointment to the west- 
ern department was made by congress (24 Sept.) during the active operations 
of Washington, immediately preceding the commencement of th3 siege. 
This work was what Irvine refers to as engaging the particular attention of 
the commander-in-chief. 

'^The exact day of the arrival of General Irvine at Fort Pitt and his assum- 
ing command of the post, is not known. The foUovvmg is the first entry in 
his orderly book: 

" Fort Pitt, Nov. Gth, 1781. 
"Parole, General. Countersign, Joij. 

" General Irvine has the pleasure to congratulate the troops on the great and 
glorious news. Lord Cornwallis, with the troops under his command, sur- 
rendered prisoners of war on the 19th of October last, to the allied army of 
America and France, under the immediate command of his Excellency Gen- 
eral Washington. The prisoners amount to upwards of five thousand regular 
troops, near two thousand tories, and as many negroes, besides a number of 
merchants and other followers. 

"Thirteen pieces of artillery will be fired this day at 1 o'clock, in the fort, 
at which time the troops will be under arms, with their colors displayed. The 
commissary will issue a gill of liquor extraordmary to the non-commissioned 
officers and privates on this joyf al occasion. 

"Accurate regimental returns [are] to be made to-morrow morning at 



7,f ^Vashington-Trmne Correspondence. 

your letter directing him to take the command, whicli was ac- 
quiesced in by Colonel Brodhead; and things went on in the 
usual channel, except that the dispute^ occasioned Colonel 
Gibson's intended expedition against Sandusky being laid 
aside,^ and perhaps it also prevented many other necessary ar- 
rangements. The examination of evidences on the charges 
against Colonel Brodhead, is still taking, and I am informed 
will continue some weeks,^ 

Agreeable to my orders from congress, to retain no more 
officers here than sufficient for the men, I have made the fol- 
lowino- arrano-ments: re-formed the remains of the late eighth 
Pennsylvania regiment into two companies, and call them a 
detachment from the Pennsylvania line, to be commanded by 
Lieutenant-Colonel Bayard.* Baron Steuben had some time 
ago directed Colonel Gibson to re-form his regiment^ also into 
two companies, retaining with him the staff of the regiment; 
and to send all the supernumerary officers down into Virginia. 

9 o'clock, of the officers and dates of their commissions, together with rolls of 
non-commissioned officers, drums, fifes, and privates, — accounting for every 
man, where he is, how employed, and time so employed." 

' The dispute here spoken of was the one already mentioned as subsisting, 
previous to Brodhead's yielding the direction of affairs at Fort Pitt to Gibson, 
between these two officers as to the right of command. 

^ " The intended expedition against Sandusky " was an enterprise against 
the Wyandots g,nd other hostile Indians located upon the upper waters of the 
Sandusky river in what is now the northwestern part of the state of Ohio, 
whicli had been planned, as heretofore stated, at Fort Pitt, and which " the 
dispute " caused to be "laid aside." 

^Charges, it will be remembered, had been preferred against Brodhead, 
among other things for speculating with public money, to substantiate which, 
witnesses were then being examined. He was afterward honorably acquitted. 

^ The eighth Pennsylvania regiment, under command of Daniel Brodhead 
as colonel, mai-ched, as previously explained, to Fort Pitt in the summer of 
1778 to take part in an expedition under Brigadier-General Lachlan Mcintosh 
against Detroit. The enterprise, it has already been seen, proved abortive, 
but the regiment remained in the western department; when, upon the ar- 
rival of Irvine, "its remains" were re-formed into a "detachment from the 
Pennsylvania line," to be commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Bayard, 
as above indicated; the whole consisted of only two companies, the first com- 
manded by Capt. Clark and Lieuts. Peterson and Reed; the second by Capt, 
Brady and Lieuts. Ward and Morrison. 

'The seventh Virginia regiment, afterward the first. This regiment, pre- 



Irvviie to WasJiington. 75 

The re-formation was so made; but the officers were so dis- 
tressed for want of clothing and other necessaries, that they 
were not able to proceed. However they are now makino- ex- 
ertions, and I hope will soon set out. I have ordered the 
supernumerary officers of the Pennsylvania line to repair forth- 
with to their proper regiments in the line.^ The whole of the 
troops, here, are thrown into four companies. I have been 
trying to economize; but every thing is in so wretched a state, 
that there is very little in my power. I never saw troops cut 
60 truly a deplorable, and at the same time despicable, a figure. 
Indeed, when I arrived, no man would believe from their ap- 
pearance that they were soldiers; nay, it would be difficult to 
determine whether they were lohite men. Though they do 
not yet come up to my wishes, yet they are some better. 

As it does not rest with me to decide on the propriety or 
impropriety of any person's conduct, I shall only make a few 
general observations. The consumption of public stores has, 
in my opinion, been enormous, particularly military stores; 
and I fear the reason given for it will not be justifiable, namely: 
that the militia would all fly if they had not powder and lead 
given them, not only when in service, but also to keep in their 
houses. It is true the county lieutenants,^ and others who are 

viously the ninth, was originally the thirteenth Virginia. It was raised west 
of the mountains largely through the exertions of Col. Williaiji Crawford, and 
was known on the border as the "West Augusta regiment;" so called from 
the district of West Augusta, Virginia. 

' The supernumerary otBcers included Colonel Brodhead, Major Frederick 
Vernon and others. The two named, under the arrangement then in force, 
belonged to the first Pennsylvania regiment. Stephen Bayard was lieutenant 
colonel of the same regiment (afterward, January 1, 1783, of the third); but 
he remained at Fort Pitt, as already explained, in command of the "detach- 
ment from the Pennsylvania line." 

^ According to the militia laws of Pennsylvania and Virginia, each company 
was commanded by a captain, two lieutenants and an ensign; each bataUion 
by a colonel, lieutenant colonel and major; and the whole in a county by a 
county lieutenant. Besides this the latter officer had a general supervision of 
military aifairs within his county, with the rank of colonel. The western de- 
partment, at the date of Irvine's arrival at Fort Pitt, included the counties of 
Westmoreland and Washington in Pennsylvania, Monongalia and Ohio in 
Virginia; *neach of which there was a county lieutenant; in the two former 
counties, there were, also, sub-lieutenants. 



76 WasJdngton-Irvine Correspondence. 

called responsible men, liave promised to be accountable; but 
1 am certain not an ounce can ever be again collected, I 
find by tlie returns, that near two thousand pounds of powder, 
and four thousand pounds of lead, have been issued to the mi- 
litia since the dispute commenced between Colonels Brodhead 
and Gibson, chiefly by orders of the former, besides arms, ac- 
coutrements, etc., and not a man called into actual service. 
The magazine is nearly exhausted. There is not now as much 
remaining as has been issued since the first of last September. 
T presume your excellency has been informed by the gov- 
ernor of the state of Virginia,^ or General Clark,^ of the fail- 
ure of his [Clark's] expedition,^ But lest that should not be 
the case, I will relate all the particulars that have come to my 
knowledge. Captain Craig,* with the detachment of artillery 
under him, returned here the 2Gth instant.^ He got up with 
much difficulty and great fatigue to the men, being forty days on 
the way, occasioned by the lowness of the water. He was obliged 
to throw away his gun-carriages, but brouglit his pieces and 
best stores safe. He left General Clark at the rapids [Louis- 
ville, Ky.] ; and says the general was not able to prosecute his 
intended plan of operation for want of men, being able to 
collect in the whole only about seven hundred and fifty. The 
buffalo meat was all rotten; and, he adds, the general is ap- 



* " Richmond (Vircfinia), Dec. 29. The honorable Thomas Nelson, Jr., Esq., 
our late governor, having resigned on account of ill state of his health, the hon- 
orable Benjamin Harrison, Esq., speaker of the house of delegates, is elected 
in his room."— Penn. Packet, Jan. 10, 1782 (No. 831). 

'^ For a biographical sketch of Geo. Eogers Clark, see Appendix M, — Clark 
to Irvine, August 10, 1782, note. 

^ See Introduction, pp. 53-56. 

■"Captain (afterward Major) Isaac Craig was, as we have before seen, in 
command, at Fort Pitt, of a detachment from the fourth Pennsylvania regi- 
ment of artillery, and of a detachment of artillery artificers, and was sent 
down the Ohio with Clark. His was one of the most efficient — one of the best 
disciplined bodies, of soldiers in the west. For a biographical sketch of Craig, 
see Appendix M, — Craig to Irvine, April 1, 17S3, note. 

' '* The 26th instant;" that is, the 26th of November, 1781, Irvine evidently 
commenced writing his letter the last of that mouth although it was not fin- 
ished until the 2d December. 



Irvine to Washington. 77 

preliensiv^e of a visit from Detfoit,^ and is not without fears 
the settlement will be obliged to break up, unless re-enforce- 
ments soon arrive from Virginia. The Indians have been so 
numerous in that country that all the inhabitants have been 
obliged to keep close in forts, and the general could not ven- 
ture out to tight them. 

A Colonel Lochry, lieutenant of "Westmoreland county, in 
Pennsylvania, with about one hundred men in all, composed of 
volunteers and a company raised by Pennsylvania for the de- 
fense of said county, followed General Clark, who, it is said, or- 
dered Lochry to join him at the mouth of Miami, up which river 
it had previously been agreed on to proceed. But General Clark 
having changed his plan, left a small party at the Miami, with 
directions to Lochry to proceed on to the falls after him, with the 
main body. Sundry accounts agree that this party, and all 
Lochry's, to a man, were waylaid by the Indians and regulars 
(for it is asserted they had artillerj') and all killed or taken. 
No man, however, escaped either to join General Clark or re- 
turn home. When Captain Craig left the general, he could 
not be persuaded but that Lochry with his party had returned 
home.^ These misfortunes threw the people of this country 
.into the greatest consternation and almost despair, particularly 
Westmoreland county, Lochry's party being all the best men 
of their frontier. At present, they talk of flying early in the 
spring, to the eastern side of the mountain, and are daily 
flocking to me to enquire what support they may expect. 
^ I think there is but too much reason to fear that General 
j^__ Clark's and Colonel Gibson's expeditions falling through will 

r\ 'At this date, as ever since the commencement of the revolution, Detroit 
S» -was the center of British power and influence in the northwest. Lieutenant- 
NT Governor Henry Hamilton commanded the post until early in 1779. His suc- 
cessor was Major Arent Schuyler De Peyster. Depredations upon the exposed 
borders of Pennsylvania and Virginia ( including Kentucky) by the savages, 
drew, to a great extent, their inspiration and were given direction from this 
point. (See Introduction, p. 7.) Indian expeditions were sometimes under the 
-command of British officers accompanied by regulars and rangers. It was a 
visit of this nature that Clark, in the fall of 1781, at Louisville, Kentucky, 
stood in apprehension of. 

2 See Introduction, pp. 55, 56; also Appendix G,— Irvine to Moore, Decem- 
ber 3, 1781. 



78 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

greatly enconi-age the savages to fall on the country with 
double fury, and perhaps the British fi'om Detroit to visit this 
post, which, instead of being in a tolerable state of defense, is 
in fact nothing but a heap of ruins. I need not inform your 
excellency that it is, at best, a bad situation for defense. I 
have been viewing all the ground in this vicinity, and find 
none equal for a post to the mouth of Chartiers creek,^ about 
four miles down the river. This was pointed out to me by 
Captain [Tliomas] Hutchins [geographer], before I left Phila- 
delphia, who says there is no place equal to it any where 
within forty miles of Fort Pitt. 

I think it best calculated, on many accounts. Pirst, the 
ground is such that works may be constructed to contain any 
number of men you please, from fifty to one thousand. It is 
by nature almost inaccessible on three sides, and on the fourth 
no commanding ground within three thousand yards. Sec- 
ondly, as it would effectually cover the settlement on Char- 
tiers creek, the necessity for keeping a post at Fort Mcintosh'^ 
will of course cease. In case of making that the main post,' 
Fort Pitt should be demolished, all except the north bastion, 
on which a strong block-house should be built. A small party 
in it would as efiectuall}^ keep up a communication with the 
settlement on Monongahela as the whole garrison now does; 
for the necessary detachments to Fort Mcintosh, Wheeling, 

' Chartiers creek rises in Washington county, Pennsylvania, flows a north- 
northeasfc course, and empties into the Ohio on the south side, four miles be- 
low Pittsburgh. 

^ See Introduction, p. 26. 

^ " Whether the point recommended was McKee's rocks, or the hill immedi- 
ately west of the mouth of the creek [Chartiers], is not very clear; although 
the assertion that there was no commanding ground within three thousand 
yards, would incline us to select the latter as the point. It is not a little sin- 
gular that the general's correspondent [Washington] had, twenty-seven years 
before, examined the point at the junction of the rivers [Pittsburgh] as well 
as McKee's rocks, and expressed his opinion in favor of the former." — Craig's 
Olden Time, Vol. II, pp. 532, 533. 

Before Washington's first visit to this country, Christopher Gist, who had 
been appointed surveyor for the Ohio company and was familiar with both 
localities, was directed to lay off a town and fort near the mouth of Chartiers 
creek. This was in 1752. The site thus selected was not improved. 



Irvine to Washington. 79 

etc., so divide the troops that no one place can ever be held 
without a large body of troops. Indeed, I do not like Fort 
Mcintosh being- kept a post in the present situation of things. 

If the enemy at Detroit should take it into their heads to 
make us a visit, that would be an excellent place for them to 
take by surprise; whence they could send out Indians and 
other partisans to lay the whole country waste before we could 
dislodge them. We have (i think idly) too much of our stores 
there. I have been making efforts to bring up the greater 
part; but though it is almost incredible, yet it is true that, of 
all the public boats built here, not a single one was to be found 
when I came here, except one barge and one flat. I expect 
two boats up, loaded, this day. It is, I believe, universally 
agreed that the only way to keep Indians from harassing the 
country is to visit them. But we find, by experience, that 
burning their empty towns has not the desired effect. They 
can soon build others. They must be followed up and beaten, 
or the British, whom they draw support from, totally driven 
out of their country. 

I believe if Detroit was demolished, it would be a good step 
towards giving some, at least temporary, ease to this country. 
It would cost them at least a whole summer to rebuild and 
establish themselves; for, though we should succeed in reduc- 
ing Detroit, I do not think there is the smallest probability of 
our being able to hold it. It is too remote from supplies. I 
have been endeavoring to form some estimates, from such in- 
formation as I can collect, and I really think that the reduc- 
tion of Detroit would not cost much more, nor take many 
more men, than it will take to cover and protect the country 
by acting on the defensive. If I am well informed, it will 
take seven or eight hundred regular troops and about a thou- 
sand militia; which number could pretty easily be obtained 
for that purpose, as it appears to be a favorite scheme over all 
.this country. The principal difficulty would be to get provis- 
ions and stores transported. As to taking a heavy train of 
artillery, I fear it would not only be impracticable, but an in- 
cumbrance; two field pieces, some howitz, and perhaps a mor- 
tar [would suffice]. I do not think, especially under present 



80 Wasldngton-Irmne Correspondence. 

circnmstances, that it would be possible to carry on an expe- 
dition in such a manner as to promise success by a regular 
siege. I would therefore propose to make every appearance 
of setting down before the place, as if to reduce it by regular 
approaches. As soon as I found the enemy fully impressed 
with this idea, attempt it at once by assault. 

I mean to write to congress for leave to go down the coun- 
try in January, to return in March, if they make it a point 
that I should continue here.^ I can scarcely think they will 
wish me to remain with four companies of men. The power 
of calling out the militia of this country is more ideal than 
real, especially till the lines between Yirginia and Pennsyl- 
vania are determined, and actually run. Neither civil nor 
military law will take place until then.^ Whether I am to be 

^ See Irvine to the president of congress, 3 Dec, 1781, Appendix A. 

^ For several years, the c:untry around the head-waters of the Ohio had 
been a subject of dispute between Pennsylvania and Virginia, the boundary 
line between the two provinces not having been run. Mason and Dixon's 
line had been extended from the northwest corner of Maryland to a point 
some distance west of the Monongahela, by the Penns and Lord Baltimore, 
in 17C7; but with this line Virginia had nothing to do. This province, as 
early as 1752, began to assert a claim to what was afterwards recognized as 
southwest Pennsylvania ; however, the quarrel did not assume a very threat- 
ening aspect until the legislature of the latter province embraced, in 1773, all 
the disputed territory in the new county of Westmoreland. Lord Dunmore 
as governor of Virginia then attempted to enforce jurisdiction over the country 
about Pittsburgh, it being claimed as part of Augusta county, Virginia. 
*' Fort Pitt was seized by a band of armed partisans, headed by Captain John 
ConoUy, and its name changed to Fort Dunmore, New counties were formed 
from which delegates were sent to the Virginia legislature. Justices and 
other civil officers were commissioned by the authorities of Virginia. Court 
houses were erected and Virginia courts regularly held within the limits of 
the present counties of Alleghany and "Washington, in Pennsylvania. The 
people were divided in their allegiance; arrests, counter- arrests, and other 
violent acts frequently occurred during this seven years' contest. The break- 
ing out of the revolutionary war in 1775, and a recommendation by congress 
on the subject, abated the civil strife." The controvei-sy ended, virtually, in 
1779 and the following year, as between the two states, Virginia yielding her 
claims to the disputed territory. During the fall of 17S2, a temporary line 
was run as far as the Ohio river, beginning where Mason and Di.xon's ended. 
But this was subsequent to the date of Irvine's letter. The people, therefore, 
were still "divided in their allegiance;" hence it was that neither civil nor 
military laws could well be enforced in the disputed territory. However, as 



Irvine to Washington. 81 

continued liere or not, I am pretty certain it might be of use 
for me to go down, in order the better to concert measures 
proper to be taken either with your excellency or congress; 
for, as matters now stand, it is clear to me this country must 
be given up. The militia, however, promise pretty fair, and 
I have had no ground for differing with them yet. There are 
no provisions laid in, nor is there even sufficient from day to 
day. The contract made by Mr. [Robert] Morris [superin- 
tendent of finance], for supplying this post, has not been ful- 
filled on the part of the contractor^ in any tolerable degree; 
nor would the contract answer here, even if 'complied with. 
However, as I must write particularly to the board of war on 
this subject,^ and have exceeded the moderate bounds of a 
letter, I fear I have already tired, and taken up too much of 
your excellency's time. 

P. S. — I have been told of three persons who were pris- 
oners with the enemy, and have lately made their escape. I 
have sent in search of them but could not find them out. The 
lieutenant of Washington county [James Marshel] has prom- 
ised to bring one of them to me as soon as possible. If they 
have any material accounts, I shall inform your excellency 

will be hereafter seen, Irvine found but little difficulty in calling out the militia 
when needed. One requisition upon the lieutenant of Washington county- 
had already been promptly responded to, 

'The contractor was Michael Huffnagle, a resident of Hannastown, "West- 
moreland county, Pennsylvania. David Duncan, also a resident of West- 
moreland, attended to the contractor's business at Fort Pitt. 

' Irvine's letter to the board of war was written the next day. (Appendix 
B.) The secretary at war — Major General Benjamin Lincoln — was the suc- 
cessor of this board; but he had, at the above date, been so short a time in 
office that the fact was unknown to Irvine. Why there was a necessity for 
"Writing to the board, the following order will show: — 

" [Con tmen tall War Office, September 29, 1781. 

'^Agreed, That General Irvine be authorized and directed to regulate the 
issues of provision by the contractors at Fort Pitt and its dependencies in such 
manner as will best suit the circumstances of those posts, consistent with the 
contract, and give temporary direction on the subject, reporting to this board 
any regulations he may make and the orders given in consecfuence, which are 
to be subject to the revision and alteration, if necessary, of the board. By 
order of the board. Jos. Carleton, Sec.'* 

6 



S,j Washingto}i-Irvine C orresjpondence. 

the earliest possible. They have come from different places, 
and I am told all agree that great preparations are making to 
attack this country, at several places, at the same time. Speak- 
ing of prisoners, leads me to beg your excellency's opinion 
or instructions respecting an exchange in this quarter, or a 
negotiation carried on with the commander at Detroit.^ I 
find numbers of poor people are taken in this district; some 
were taken at the commencement of the war, and are yet lan- 
guishing in prison, in Canada, for they send all down to 
Quebec or Montreal. I cannot learn that any attempt has 
ever been made, on either side, to exchange them. John 
Hinds and Myndert Fisher have both been confined here a 
whole year, and are under sentence of a court-martial. I re- 
quest your excellency's orders respecting them. I am 
informed the proceedings of the court were sent to head- 
quarters a considerable time since.^ 

' The British commandant at Detroit at this time was Arent Schuyler De 
Peyster, major of the eighth regiment of foot, afterward lieutenant colonel 
of the same regiment. (See Appendix M, — De Peyster to Irvine, July 10th, 
1783, note.) 

^ From this, it will be seen that Irvine had not received Washington's letter 
of the first of November, though it must have come to hand shortly after, as 
the order for the release of Fisher from confinement was dated the seventh of 
January and the one for the release of Hinds the day after, as shown by the 
following from Irvine's MS. orderly book: 

"Fort Pitt, Jamianj 7, 1782. 

" At a general court martial held the 25th of July last, of which Lieuten- 
ant Colonel [Stephen] Bayard was president, John Hinds, a fifer, in the 7th 
Virginia regiment was tried for desertion, and assisting a disaffected Indian 
to make his escape to the enemy. The court are of opinion he is guilty, and 
sentence him to suffer death. His excellency General Washington confirms 
the sentence. 

" At the same court, Myndei-t Fisher was tried for holding a traitoi'ous cor- 
respondence with the enemies of the United States. The court are of opinion 
he is guilty, and sentence him to be hanged. The commander-in-chief dis- 
approves the sentence, and orders him to be liberated from confinement. He 
is, therefore, to be released immediately. 

"Fort Pitt, January 8, 178?. 

" His excellency General Washington having been pleased to leave to Gen- 
eral Irvine to execute or pardon John Hinds, as he should judge proper, 
General Irvine, tlirough motives of humanity and compassion for his youth, 
as well as warm solicitation of some of his officers in his favor, is induced to 
pardoii him. He is to be released from confinement." 



Washington to Irvine. 83 



III. — Washington to Ikvine. 

Philadelphia, Decemher 18, 1781. 

Dear Sir: — I have received your favor of the 2d instant. 
I am not at all surprised to hear that you found matters in 
disorder to the westward; it is generally the case when a dis- 
pute arises respecting command, as the parties make it a 
point to thwart each other as much as possible. Perhaps 
what is past cannot be amended, as Colonel Brodhead may 
say that the delivery of ammunition to the county lieutenants 
was necessary.* But you will judge of the propriety of the 
measure in future. 

I am sorry to hear of the failure of General Clark's expe- 
dition, of which I was always doubtful, as it was to be carried 
on with militia. But of this I am convinced, that the pos- 
session or destruction of Detroit is the only means of giving 
peace and security to the western frontier; and that when it 
is undertaken, it should be by such a force as should not risk 
a disappointment. When we shall have it in our power to 
to accomplish so desirable an end, I do not know. It will 
depend upon the exertion of the states in filling up their 
regular batallions. 

I cannot undertake to determine upon the propriety of 
removing our principal post from Fort titt to Chartiers 
creek. It is a matter in which I suppose a variety of inter- 
ests is concerned, and which must therefore be decided upon 
by congress. Should you obtain leave to come down this 
winter, you will have an opportunity of laying the matter 
fully before tliera.^ 

I wish you had been particular upon the manner in which 
the contractors of Fort Pitt, etc., have been deficient, and had 

' This was in answer to Irvine's remarks concerning the waste of ammuni- 
tion by the mihtia of the western counties. 

^ The letter of Irvine to the president of congi-ess of the 3d of December, 
1781 (Appendix A), was referred to the secretary at war, who reported that 
for a variety of reasons it was inexpedient, at that time, to remove the post 
from Pittsburgh to Chartiers creek, whatever might be done in the future . 
(See Washington to Irvine — next letter.) 



SJj, Washington-Irvine CorrespondenGe. 

given your reasons for thinking that the contract upon its 
present establishment will not answer. I would immediately 
have laid them before Mr. Morris. If your representations 
should not have been made before this reaches you, no time 
should be lost in doing it.^ 

I have directed our commissary of prisoners, who is now at 
Elizabethtown, negotiating a general exchange, to endeavor to 
include the prisoners in Canada. I cannot see what end 
would be answered by your opening a treaty with the com- 
mandant of Detroit upon that subject, as we seldom or never 
have a prisoner in our hands upon the quarter where you 
are. 

In ray letter of the 1st of November, I acquainted you 
with my determination upon the cases of Hinds and Fisher. 



lY. — "Washington to Irvine. 

Philadelphia, December 21, 1781. 
Dear Sir:. — The secretary at war, to whom your letter of 
the 3d instant to congress was referred, reported that, for a 
variety of reasons, which it is not at present necessary to 
repeat, it was judged inexpedient to remove the principal 
post from Fort Pitt to Chartiers creek, at this moment, what- 
ever might be done in future, and that you should be in- 
structed "immediately to employ the garrison in repairing 
the old fort and the block-house which commands it, and 
that, when you had made the necsssary arrangements, you 
should be permitted to repair to congress, that the benefit 
of your advice might be had in digesting measures for the 
security of the frontiers." ~ The report having been submitted 

^ This matter was laid before the board of war by General Irvine in his let- 
ter to that body of December 3, 1781 ; also in a further communication upon 
the same subject, on the 14th of that month. (See Appendix B.) 

■^ Soon after receiving this notification, Irvine began making preparations for 
his contemplated trip over the mountains. On the 10th of January, 1782, he 
sent a requisition to James Marshel, the lieutenant of Washington county, 
for one subaltern, one sergeant and fifteen privates, of the militia, to relieve 
the garrison at Fort Henry (Wheeling) by the 1st of February. (See Appen- 
dix J, — Irvine to Marshel, of that date.) He, also, sent circular letters to 



Washington to Irvine. 85 

to me by congress, with direction to give order npon it, as I 
should think proper, I have concurred in opinion with the 
secretary at war, and must therefore desire you to follow the 
measures recommended bv hira. 



the sub-lieutenants of Westmoreland and one to Marshel, with information 
that he was to go down to Philadelphia on public business connected with his 
department; that he was not certain what length of time he might be de- 
tained there; and that, during his absence, Colonel John Gibson would have 
command at Fort Pitt. As he was apprehensive there might be a necessity 
for calling out the militia before his return — especially as his garrison must 
continue to be employed in repairing the fort — they should, on the requisition 
of Gibson, who would be the best judge when such necessity might arise, 
order out such numbers as he should call for, not exceeding fifty, for one tour 
of duty; the tour not to exceed one month's time. "I hope," said Irvine, 
" to return by the first of March, before which time I presume there will not 
be much danger of any damage being done; at the same time, I think it most 
prudent to take every proper precaution." (See Irvine to Cook, first letter in 
Appendix K. ) 

The following is from Irvine's MS. orderly book: 

" FoKT Pitt, Jan^y 15, 1782. 

" As the general will be absent some time, he requests Colonel Gibson to 
use every possible exertion to put this post in a good state of defense as pos- 
sible ; for this purpose, he will employ the garrison whenever the weather will 
admit. 

" The general observes that more men are returned on furlough than what 
are entitled by resolution of congress; and is informed that this indulgence is 
generally abused by overstaying the time allowed, equally injurious to service 
and to other men who are as well entitled to the same indulgence. He there- 
fore directs that officers commanding corps will take effectual measures to call 
in all whose furloughs are expired; and that in future no man is to be fur- 
loughed without the knowledge and consent of the commandant." Irvine 
left the next morning. 

The following orders were issued by Irvine, from Dec. 5, 1781, to January 
14, 1782, inclusive: 

"Fort Pitt, December 5, 1781. 

" When there is flour sufficient in store, the bread must be baked at least 
one day before it is issued to the troops. The general directs the quarter- 
masters to pay strict attention to the quality of the provisions, and when 
they think it unwholesome or unfit for use, they will make immediate report 
thereof, in order that inspection may be made. Major [Samuel] Finley will 
send a copy of this order to the contractor." 

" Pittsburgh, December 7, 1781. 

" Neither non-commissioned officers nor privates shall retain or use in pub- 
lic service, arms or accoutrements which are private property. All, therefore, 



86 Washington- Irvine Correspondence. 

Whether we shall or shall not be in condition to prosecute 
an enterprise against Detroit in any short time, I do not know. 

who are possessed of such are at liberty to dispose of them as they think 
proper. All rifles (public property) and accoutrenaents belonging thereto, and 
all the ammunition in the hands of the troops, are to be instantly collected 
by the quartermasters, which, together with what they may have on hand 
unissued, are to be delivered into the military store; and [the quartermasters 
are to] make out new returns to complete each man to three rounds which 
must be made up. 

"All returns for arms, accoutrements or ammunition [are] to be examined 
and signed by [the] officer commanding [each] corps, when [they are to be] 
delivered to the inspector for signing also, who will hand them to the com- 
manding officer. 

" The general expects that officers of every rank will exert themselves to 
prevent unnecessary destruction or embezzlement of arms, ammunition, 
clothing and public property of every kind. He is sorry to observe that so 
little progress has been made in the mode proposed in altering and enlarging 
the soldiers' clothes and for repaying the barracks so as to make the quarters 
comfortable. It is in vain for men to allege, in excuse, that they have not 
rtjoney to purchase thread, needles, etc., or to pay taylors, when it is evident 
that their credit is large with vendors of whiskey. 

" No arms [are] to be loaded till further orders, excepting when the officer 
of the day shall judge it expedient in the night, which is to be noted in the 
daily reports." 

" FoKT Pitt, December 12, 1781. 

"The several corps will provide coal and wood for themselves in such 
manner as the commandants may think best ; the coal pit to be occupied by 
turns, day and day about, at first, till all have some days' supply; afterwards, 
each three days to be determined by lot who shall have the first day for the 
present in this business. The artillery and the Pennsylvania detachment will 
work together and Capt. Livergood's company with Col. Gibson's regiment. 
Each will supply the blacksmith's, armorer's, and the general's family, in 
rotation, with such quantities as Mr. [Samuel] Sample shall direct, who will 
also assign boats and teams in due proportion as the case will admit. 

" The general requests the officers to make such arrangements as [that] the 
men will be kept as short time as possible on fatigue in each tour and never 
to exceed two days. Boatmen, carters, and colliers, who have skill in the 
business, may render it necessary to keep them constantly in the employ. 
These men will be entered in the quartermaster's books, to be allowed the 
same additional pay as soldiers taken from the line of the army to drive 
wagons; as this is the mode adopted in all armies. The general flatters him- 
self there wijl be no more cause of complaint for want of these iuticles [of 
fuel]. If the troops should hereafter suft'er, he hopes they will attribute it to 
the real cause (indolence), which he will not charge them with without good 
evidence." 



Washington to Irvine. S7 



But, as a consideration of that point may be brought on when 
you come down, it may be well for you to prepare yourself 
with the necessary information respecting the strength of the 

[An order for December 15, 1781, is given hereafter. See Appendix M, — 
Capt. John Finley to Irvine, February 2, 1782, note.] 

" FoKT Pitt, December 18, 1781. 

" General Irvine thinks proper to republish this extract from general orders, 
dated at West Point, July 24, 1779, that no person may plead ignorance in 
future: 

" ' Any soldier who presumes to fire his musket without leave from the 
commanding officer of his regiment (who is not to give it but in cases of 
necessity, and then will acquaint the general of it) is to receive fifteen lashes 
on the spot and to pay one-sixth of a dollar for the cartridge to the quarter- 
master of the regiment, who will lay out the money arising this way for the 
use of the sick. A similar punishment shall be inflicted on any soldier who 
will, through neglect, waste or lose any of his ammunition. The guard nearest 
the spot where the gun is fired is to send a file of men for the offender.' " 

"Fort Pitt, December 24, 1781. 

" All officers who shall obtain leave of absence will acquaint the brigade 
major thereof." 

"Fort Pitt, December 25, 1781. 

" A detachment of troops in this garrison, consisting of one sub[altern], 
one sergeant, one corporal, one drum and eighteen privates, will parade to- 
morrow at twelve o'clock, with their arms, accoutrements and packs for a 
command of two weeks. 
" Detail. 

"The general orders the rolls of each company to be called by the orderly 
sergeant in the barrack rooms after tattoo beating, at which time an officer of 
each corps will be present and see the rolls called, reporting the absentees to 
the commanding officer of each corps, that the delinquents may be punished 
for a breach of former general orders." 

"Fort Pitt, January 1, 1782. 
"G. 0. [General Orders.] 

"Patrick Leonard, John Cain and Martin Shuster are to be released from 

their confinement. The general hopes this lenity will excite them to better 

conduct in future." 

" Headquarters, Fort Pitt, January 2, 1782. 
"G. 0. 

" There will be a general inspection of the troops at this post the 4th in- 
stant. All fatigue parties will be present at the examination. The troops 
will appear clean, their arms and accoutrements in good order. 

"The officers will make returns of the strength of the companies they com- 
mand, accounting for all absentees, together with the alterations, specifying 
the quantity of clothing delivered their companies since last inspection, and 



88 Washington-Irvijie Correspondence. 

post, that of the garrison, and the means that ought to be 
employed to give the expedition a tolerable certainty of 
success. 

of the ai'ms, ammunition and accoutrements of each company, distinguishing 
such as are in the hands of the men absent on command, etc., from those 
present, and of camp equipage deUvered each company, the quantity on hand 
and the deficiency since the preceding examination. 

"The regimental quartermasters will make out returns of the articles they 
have drawn since the last inspection, both from the assistant quartermaster 
and deputy field commissary of military stores, the issues they have made to 
each company, the stores on hand and the deficiencies that have happened. 

"The regimental clothiers will make out returns of all the articles of cloth- 
ing by them received and delivered and on hand. 

" The assista^it quartermaster [will make] out a return of the articles of his 
department issued to the several regiments and others and returned by them 
to him. 

" The deputy field commissary of military stores will make out a similar 

return." 

" Fort Pitt, January 12, 1782. 
" General Orders. 

"A detachment will parade to-morrow morning at troop-beating pre- 
pared for a command of two weeks. 

"Detail for the Pennsylvania detachment: 

" Sub[altern]. Serg't. Drum. R[ank] and File. 

10 1 9 

" At a garrison court martial, of which Captain [Isaac] Craig was presi- 
dent. — Matthias Ward and David Fitzgibbons, corporals in Captain [Samuel] 
Brady's company, were tried for attempting to murder Indian Moses, a Dela- 
ware. The court are of opinion that the evidence against them does not 
amount to positive proof, and therefore acquit them of the charge. The gen- 
eral agrees with the court in opinion that no positive proof has been made 
against them, but thinks the circumstances are strong and pointed, and he 
cannot help lamenting that any person who bears the name of a soldier should 
be so destitute of humanity or the manly virtues necessary to stamp the pro- 
fession as to do or say anything even to create a suspicion of so base an act. 
Matthias Ward and David Fitzgibbons are to be released from their confine- 
ment after this order shall have been read at the head of the troops of the 
garrison, they being present. 

"At the same court, John Cupps, soldier in Captain [John] Clark's com- 
pany, was tried for leaving his guard. The prisoner pleads guilty to the 
charge. The court finds him guilty of a breach of the 4th article, r2th sec- 
tion of the articles of war, and sentence him to receive one hundred lashes on 
his bare back by the drummer of the garrison. The general being deter- 
mined not to let crimes of so heinous a nature escape punishment, approves the 
sentence, and orders it to be put in execution at retreat-beating this after- 
noon. 



Irvine to Washington. 89 



Y. — Irvine to Washington. 

Philadelphia, February 7, 1782. 

Sir: — The present strength of the garrison at Fort Pitt is 
two hundred and thirty. At least thirty of these are unfit 
for field duty, and several even garrison duty. From this 
number detachments are made to garrison Forts Mcintosh 
and Wheeling, the first distant thirty miles, the latter eighty. 
Fort Pitt is in a bad state for defense; Fort Mcintosh 
pretty easily repaired. If Fort Pitt were in the best state, 
the work is too extensive for less than a garrison of at least 
four hundred and fifty men to make a tolerable defense. Fort 
Mcintosh would take one hundred and fifty to defend it 
properly, and be able to send patrolling parties towards 
Wheeling. 

Wheeling should have twentj^-five or thirty men, and an 
equal number at some intermediate post. From Fort Pitt to 



" At the same court William Straphan, soldier in Captain Brady's company, 
was tried for insolence to Lieutenant Crawford, to which charge he pleads 
guilty. The court sentence him to iifty lashes. The general approves the 
sentence; but at the particular request of Lieutenant Crawford, is pleased to 
remit the punishment of William Straphan, who is to ask Lieutenant Craw- 
ford's pardon at the head of the corps to which he belongs, after which he is 
to be released. 

" At the same court Samuel McCord and John Britain, soldiers in the 7th 
Virginia regiment, were tried for being concerned in killing a cow, the prop- 
erty of John Ferry. The court acquit them of the charge. Samuel McCord 
and John Britain are to be released from their confinement. John Lockhart, 
[confinedl on suspicion of killing a cow, is to be immediately released." 

" Fort Pitt, January 12, 1782. 
" After Orders. 

" The punishment ordered to be inflicted on John Cupps is to be postponed 
till to-morrow at troop-beating, and also reading the sentence to Ward and 
Fitzgibbons. The other prisoners are to be released immediately." 

" Fort Pitt, January 14, 1782. 
" General Orders. 

" As soon as the principal evidence [witness], David Tate, arrives, a court 
martial will assemble for the trial of Mr. John Johnson, forage master. 
Colonel Gibson will preside." 



00 Washhujtori-I rvine Correspondence. 

the Laurel Hill,'- northwards, it would take two hundred men 
in actual service from the first of April to tlie last of Octo- 
ber to guard that quarter from the incursions of the savages. 
Bj this arrangement, it would take nine hundred and fifty 
men to act on the defensive the whole of tlie summer season. 
The number of militia in Washington county is said to bo 
two thousand; in Westmoreland, one thousand. The inhabit- 
ants are dispirited, and talk much of making their escape 
early in the spring to the east side of the mountain, unless 
they see a prospect of support. 

The Indians have all left us, except ten men,^ and, by the best 
accounts [the hostile tribes beyond the Ohio], are preparing to 
make a stroke in the spring, either against General Clark, at 
the rapids [Louisville, Ky.], or Fort Pitt, which, my informant 
could not with certainty say, but was positive one or the other 
was intended. I am apprehensive, from the steps taken by the 
commandant at Detroit, that something serious is intended. 
First, thirteen nations of Indians have been treated with in 
the beginning of November; at the conclusion, they were 
directed to keep themselves compact, and ready to assemble 
on short notice. Secondly, the Moravians are carried into 

'The Laurel Hill is a mountainous range in the southwestern part of Penn- 
sylvania, to the eastward of Pittsburgh, and having a northerly and southerly 
trend. At the Youghiogheny river, going north, it becomes Chestnut Ridge, 
and the range east of it receives the name of Laurel Hill. 

^ These Lidians were friendly Delawares. The Delaware tribe, located upon 
the Tuscarawas and Muskingum rivers, in the present state of Ohio, had, for 
a considerable time after the commencement of the revolution, remained 
neutral. Finally, the nation became an ally of the Americans, British 
influence, however, and the inability of the United States to carry out treaty 
stipulations, subsequently alienated, as already related, a large portion from 
American interests, resulting in their taking up the hatchet against the 
border in the spring of 1781. To punish the Delawares, Colonel Daniel 
Brodhead, cornmanding at Fort Pitt, marched, in April of that year, against 
Coshocton, their principal village, the site of the present town of that name, 
the county seat of Coshocton county, Ohio. His expedition, as previously 
shown (Introduction, p. 51), was successful. The hostile Delawares were 
driven from the valleys of the Tuscarawas and Muskingum, except a few 
who still adhered to the Americans. These returned with Brodhead to Fort 
Pitt; and the " ten men " mentioned by Irvine were a portion of this party. 



Irvine to Washington. 91 

captivity, and strictly watched, and threatened with severe 
punishment if thej^ should attempt to give us information of 
their movements. ^ Thirdly, part of five nations are assembled 
at Sandusky. The Shawanese and Ottawas hav^e settled nearer 
Detroit than formerly. There is no magazine of provision 
laid in at any of our posts to hold out a siege; ammunition ex- 
hausted; no craft to transport materials for repairing the 
fort or to keep up a communication with Fort Mcintosh or 
Wheeling or to supply these posts with provision or stores in 
case of exigence. 2 

' Before the commencement of the revolution, some Moravian Indians, as 
they were called, moved from the Susquehanna under the guidance of two 
Moravian missionaries, to the' banks of the Tuscarawas river, in what is now 
the eastern part of the state of Ohio. These Indians soon received an acces- 
sion to their numbers by the arrival from Beaver river, Pennsylvania, of 
more "converts." Two villages were built upon the eastern bank of the 
stream upon territory set apart for them by the Delaware Indians. Up to 
the beginning of hostilities between the colonies and the mother country, the 
Tuscarawas mission was, most of the time, in a prosperous condition, under 
the lead of David Zeisberger, with several assistants. During the revolution- 
ary contest, down to the summer of 1781, the missionaries held a position, 
outwardly, of strict neutrality between the contending parties, though, in 
reality, they were secret and most valuable correspondents of the American 
commanders at Fort Pitt. A confession of this fact, made by two prisoners to the 
British and their Indian allies, caused the breaking up of the mission in Sep- 
tember, 1781, by a force of western Indians, assisted by a few whites, and 
the transporting of all the Moravian Indians and missionaries westward to 
the Sandusky river, in the northwestern part of what is now the state of 
Ohio. (See Introduction, p. 60.) Here, as Irvine says, they were strictly 
watched. At the time of the breaking up of the mission, there were three 
villages, all within what is now Tuscarawas county, Ohio. The most north- 
ern was New Schoenbrunn, on the west bank of the Tuscarawas; the middle 
one was known as Gnadenhuetten, situated on the east bank of the river; 
while the lower one, on the west side of the stream, was called Salem. 

''Irvine had previously "briefed" this portion of his letter as follows: 
" Washington county is said to have two thousand fighting men. They could 
furnish one-third — equal to seven hundred; the remaining three hundred 
from Westmoreland, and out of that number two hundred volunteer horse. 

" Westmoreland robbed of its best men by Lochry's defeat; the generality 
of the people on the out-frontiers preparing to quit their habitations. 

" The fort at Pitt in no repair, and at best not tenable. 

"The garrison weak — too weak to defend Fort Pitt, much less Fort 
Mcintosh. 



93 Washington- I7'vi7ie Corresijondencc. 

To carry on an expedition against Detroit would take two 
thousand men, to give a tolerable certainty of success; the 
time would be three months, and the best season to march 
from Fort Pitt, the 1st of August. Then the waters are low; 
morasses and soft, rich meadows dried up; by land totally 
preferable to any part by water, the enemy having entire com- 
mand of the lake with armed vessels; the navigation of rivers 
"uncertain; besides, the number of boats, and waste of time, 
"would make it more expensive than land carriage.^ Pack- 
liorses to carry provision would be better and more certain 
than wagons; bnt, as a road must be cut for artillery, the am- 
munition and military stores would be transported with greater 
facility and more safety in wagons.. One thousand horses 
would carry Hour for two thousand men for three months. 
Beef must be driven on foot. Twenty -five wagons would carry 
military stores sufficient for the train, which should consist 
of two twelve-pounders, two sixes, one three-pounder, one 
eight-inch howitzer and one royal. 

At least one-half should be regular troops. If it is neces- 
sary to keep half the number of troops to act on the defensive 
that it will to act ojffensively, and three months are sufiicient 
to complete the expedition, then the only difference in the ex- 
pense will be transportation of provision and stores; as acting 
on the defensive, seven months will be the least, and the same 
quantity of provision will be consumed and ammunition 
wasted. If we act offensively it will draw the whole attention of 

"If you quit Pitt and possess Mcintosh, all communication with the in- 
habitants may easily be cut off. If you relinquish Mcintosh altogether, the 
enemy will make a place of arms of it, and Pitt will not be tenable with any 
numbers. 

" The soldiery undisciplined. 

" Not a sufficiency of provisions laid in, nor to be laid in, for a siege. 

"No water craft to keep up a communication between Pitt and Mcintosh, 
and to supply the latter in an exigency with stores and provisions. 

" Ammunition exhausted." 

' The reader is referred to the opinion of Col. Alexander Lowrey, a=i given 
in a letter written to Irvine by George Gibson, February 5, 1782, (Appendix 
M,) as to the impracticability of marching in the spring for Detroit, from Fort 
Pitt. 



Irvine to Washington. 93 



the enemy to their own defense, by which our settlements will 
have peace; and such of the militia as do not go on the expe- 
dition will have time to raise crops. On the contrary, continual 
alarms will keep them from these necessary duties. The 
garrison at Detroit is three hundred regular troops, the militia 
(Canadians), from seven hundred to one thousand; the number 
of Indians that could assemble in ten days' notice, to a certain 
point, about one thousand.^ 

Query. Should we be able to take Detroit, shall we hold it? 
If not, what advantage will the bare reduction of the place be 
of, if immediately evacuated? 

Answer. The reduction of Detroit in the fall of the year 
will prevent an intercourse with the western Indians for a 
whole year, as it would be late in the succeeding summer be- 
fore the British could reestablish themselves, during which 
time we might either open a trade with such savages as would 
ask for peace; or, by frequentlj^ penetrating into, and estab- 
lishing posts in their country, oblige them to retire to such 
a distance as would put it out of their power to harass the 
back inhabitants. It would be attended with great expense 
and vast risk to support a garrison at Detroit, as long as the 
British possess the lower part of Canada, and have the com- 
mand of Lake Erie. 

The present garrison is too weak to repair the fort [that is, 
Fort Pitt], and perform other necessary duties; no cash to 
pay artificers; the troops in bad temper for want of pay;^ 

' A memorandum of Irvine is as follows : 

"the ENKMy's force in DETROIT. 

Regular troops 300 

Refugees at Roche de Bout [on the Maumee] 70 

Militia at the largest computation 1,000 

1,370 

Thirteen nations of Indians mustered in April, 1780, 1,150 warriors." 

^ That General Irvine was not unmindful of the suffering of the garrison he 

had left at Fort Pitt, and that he continued to make every exertion to relieve 

their wants, is evident from the following extract from the proceedings of the 

supreme executive council of Pennsylvania : 

" In Council. Philadelphia, Friday, March 1, 1782. 
* . . . General Ii-vine attended in council and represented that 
there was too much reason to fear a revolt of the troops stationed at Fort Pitt 



9Jf. Washington- Irvine Corresjyojidence. 

under veiy bad discipline; too long in one station, as they have 
formed such connections as make them tenacious of the rights 
of citizens, while they at the same time retain all the vices 
common to a soldiery. What is contained in the foregoing 
report is all that occurs to my memory at present necessary to 
trouble your excellency with. 



YI. — "Washington to Irvine. 

Philadelphia, March 8, 1782.^ 

INSTKUCTIONS. 

Sir: — Tou will proceed with all convenient despatch to Fort 
Pitt, the object of your command, and you will take such 
measures for the security of that post and for the defense of 
the western frontier, as your continental force, combined with 
the militia of the neighboring country, will admit. Under 
present appearances and circumstances, I can promise no 
further addition to your regular force than a proportion of 
recruits^ for the Virg-inia and Pennsvlvania reo-iments, which 
are already upon the western station; consequently offensive 
operations, except upon a small scale, cannot just now be brought 
into contemplation. You may, however, still continue to 

from the want of pay, that application had been made to the superintendent 
of finance [Robert Morris] for the purpose of obtaining money for paying 
the said troops, and that he had returned for answer, ' he could not think of 
making a partial pay of the troops.' 

'' The council considering the great importance of preserving a force on the 
frontiers for the protection of the inhabitants, were of opinion that meas- 
ures should be immediately taken for satisfying the said troops; and thereupon 
''Ordered, That Mr. Vice President [James Potter], Mr. [Christopher] Hays, 
Mr. [Dorsey] Pentecost and Doctor [Joseph] Gardner be a committee for con- 
ferring with a committee of the general assembly on the situation of the 
frontier defense, if the honorable house shall think proper to appoint such a 
committee." 

' For the sake of convenience and uniformity, the date of this letter (or, 
rather, of these instructions) is transferred from the conclusion to the com- 
mencement. In the original, the ending is in these words: " Given at Head- 
quarters, at Philadelphia, the 8th of March, 1782." 

*" For information concerning these recruits, — their number, where stationed, 
and the proportion to be sent to Fort Pitt, see next letter. 



Washington to Irvine. 95 



keep yourself informed of the situation of Detroit, and the 
strength of tlie enemy at that place. 

With respect to the subject of the letters which you have 
lately received from Colonel Gibson/ I can only repeat what 
I have said to you personally. You must endeavor to con- 
vince both officers and men that measures are actually taking 
to put them upon such a footing with regard to their pro- 
visions, clothing, and pay, that it is to be hoped they will ere 
long have no reason to complain. They will have already 
found the difference between their past and present mode of 
obtaining provisions and clothes; and they cannot therefore 
doubt that the only remaining difficulty, which is on account 
of pay, will be removed as soon as the financier [Eobert Mor- 
ris] can reap the advantages of the taxes for the current year, 
which are but just laid, and cannot therefore come yet into 
use. The officers and men must, upon a moment's reflection, 
be convinced of the wisdom of applying the public monev in 
hand to procuring victuals and clothes. They cannot be dis- 
pensed with even for a day; and when both are assured that 
certificates of pay, due to the 1st of the present yeai*, will be 
gis'en with interest, and that pay thenceforward will be more 
regular and as frequent as the public treasury will admit, they 
ought to be satisfied. 

Should the troops comprising the western garrison be dis- 
contented with their situation, and think that they are par- 
tially dealt by, you may make them an ofier of being relieved 
and of taking their chance of the emoluments, which they 
may suppose accrue to those serving with either the northern 
or southern armies. There may be policy in this offer, be- 
cause, if I am not mistaken, most of the men who have con- 
nections in the upper country, would rather remain there at 
some disadvantage than be brought away from their families. 
You will make such arrangements as shall comport with 

^ Colonel John Gibson, it will be remembered, was left in command at Fort 
Pitt, upon Irvine's departure over the mountains. The letters from Gibson to 
Irvine have not been found. Their contents, however, may be judged of by 
consulting? Capt. John Finley's letter to Irvine, February 2, 1782 — Appen- 
dix M. 



96 WashiiKjtoii-IrviiiG C orres2)ondence. 

the above instructions and the strictest principles of economy, 
with General Knox^ and the qnartermaster-general respecting 
military and other stores necessary for the posts under your 
orders; and you will, I am persuaded, use every means in 
your power to prevent any waste or embezzlement of them.'^ 



yil. — Irvine to "Washington. 

Carlisle [Pa.], March 17, 17S2. 

Sir: — The inclosed is the best return^ that could at present 
be obtained of the recruits and old soldiers of the Pennsyl- 
vania line, actually assembled at this post; exclusive of these, 
I am informed there are about seventy at Lancaster, who are 
chiefly for tlie regiments of cavalry and artillery; but as ac- 
curate returns are gone to Colonel [Richard] Humpton,* I hope 
they will reach him before your excellency leaves Philadelphia. 
Colonel Richard Butler^ also wrote on this subject previous 
to my arrival here. 

From present appearances, I do not expect that the number 
will exceed three hundred by the 10th of April, including cav- 
alry, artillery and infantry, after which time I am of opinion 

' Brigadier General Henry Knox. He was in command of the artillery of 
the main army, at date of the above instructions, and had, in the fall previous, 
contributed greatly to the successful result at Yorktown. 

^ These instructions v^bxe sent to Irvine at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, bis 
home, where he was then tarrying with his family. 

^Irvine's "return" has not been founds 

* Richard Hurapton was born in Yorkshire, England, about the year 1733. 
As a captain m the British army, he distinguished himself in the attack on 
bt. Malo. While stationed in the West Indies, he resigned his commission, 
came to Pennsylvania, and fixed his residence on one of the upper branches 
of the Susquehanna. He was appointed lieutenant colonel in the Flying 
Camp, July 16, 1776, from which he was transferred to the colonelcy of the 
eleventh. At the battle of Brandywine, he had a horse shot under him. He 
commanded the sixth Pennsylvania in 1781 and 1782, holding that position at 
the date of the above letter. In 1783, he was at the head of the second reg- 
iment, and was the same year breveted a brigadier general. After peace, he 
settled on a farm, holding, until his death, which occurred the 21st of Decem- 
ber, 1804, the office of adjutant general of militia. 

^ For a biographical sketch of Butler, see Appendix M, — Butler to Irvine, 
March 28, 1782, note. 



Irvine to Washington. 07 

few will be obtained by the ordinary mode of recruitino^; and 
I think it wonld be best to call in all the parties, except one 
officer from each corps. As the cavalry, it seems, have been 
indulged with leave to enlist for their own corps, particular 
instructions from your excellency respecting their equipment, 
and whether they are to march under Colonel Butler, may be 
necessary. I find that there is a sufficient number of offi- 
cers, now in the state, belonging to the southern detachment^ 
(who came home sick or on furlough) to marshal the recruits 
to that army, and will direct them all to assemble here, and 
put themselves under Colonel Butler, until he receives your 
excellency's orders. Colonel Butler, among other matters, will 
require your orders for the number to send to Fort Pitt, which, 
agreeable to the mode proposed by your excellency's instruc- 
tions to me, should be one-sixth part. Should there be com- 
mands for any more field officers of the line,^ agreeable to the 
usual mode of doing duty, the colonels now unemployed will 
stand in rotation — Colonel William Butler,^ Humpton, Brod- 
head; but General Hand"* will doubtless be able to regulate 

' The following extract from a letter to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 
written by Washington on the 8th of April, 1781, will give the reader an idea 
of what is meant by Irvine, in speaking of the "southern detachment: 
"The critical situation of our southern afitairs and the re-enforcements sent 
by the enemy to that quarter, urge the necessity of moving as large a pro- 
portion of the Pennsylvania line as possible without a moment's loss of time." 
Wayne, it will be remembered, was one of the brigadiers of that line. 

^The principal officers, at the above date, in the Pennsylvania line, were, 
of the infantry regiments, as follow: Arthur St. Clair, major general; An- 
thony Wayne and William Irvine, brigadier generals; Daniel Brodhead, 
colonel of the first regiment; Walter iStewart, colonel of the second; Thomas 
Craig, colonel third regiment; William Butler, lieutenant-colonel command- 
ant fourth regiment; Richard Butler, colonel fifth regiment; Richard Hump- 
ton, colonel of the sixth regiment. 

^ William Butler, at that date lieutenant-colonel of the 4th Pennsylvania reg- 
iment, was a younger brother of Richard Butler. He was at the head of his regi- 
ment during all its active service, its colonel being a prisoner on parole. In 
October, 1778, he made an excursion into the Indian settlements of Unadilla 
and Anaquago, which were destroyed. He retired from the lieutenant col- 
onelcy of the 4th Pennsjdvania regiment, January, 1783. (For particulars of 
his military services, see Penn. Arch,, second series, vol. X, pp. 481-188.) 

*See Introduction, p. 22, note 4. 
7 



98 Washington-Irvine Corresi)ondence. 

this business. I shall proceed to-morrow to Fort Pitt,^ con- 
sequently cannot take cognizance of any matters in the in- 
terior part of the state. I have, however, in the meantime, 
written to the secretary at war, to prevent delay, giving my 
opinion that arms and accoutrements should be forwarded here 
for the recruits, in order that they may be completely ready to 
move in any direction when they shall receive your excel- 
lency's command. 

Should anything turn up to put it in j'^our excellency's 
power to march a detachment to the westward, Col. Richard 
Butler is well acquainted in that country, and would be an 
useful officer. However, this is only meant by way of infor- 
mation. 



YIII. — Washington to Irvine. 

PniLADELrniA, March 22, 1782. 
Dear Sir: — You will be pleased to make yourself ac- 
quainted as accurately, but with as much secrecy as possible, 
with the nearest and best route from Fort Pitt to Niagara, 
•whether up the Alleghany river and thence through tiie 
woods, or by the river Le Boeuf,^ and along the side of flie lake 
[Erie]. You will in both cases mention the different dis- 
tances of land and water transportation. The Indians and 
traders who have been used to traverse the country above 
mentioned, must be well acquainted with it. In order to de- 
ceive those of whom you inquire, appear to be very solicitous 
to gain information respecting the distances, etc., to Detroit 
— the other matter you may converse upon as if curiosity 
was your only inducement.^ 

'"Irvine, as will be seen in his next letter to Washington, arrived at Fort 
Pitt on the 25th of March. It is probable, therefore, that he left Caxlisle on 
the 18th, as he intended when he wrote the above. 

■^By "the river Le Boeuf " is meant French creek, Pennsylvania. At an 
eai'ly day, it was frequently called the river Aux Boeufs, or Beef river. Fort 
Le Boeuf stood on the north bank of the inlet to Le Boeuf lake, just east of 
the present Susquehanna and Waterford turnpike, in what is now Erie 
county, that state. 

^ It is probable that juvenile readers will not see in this paragraph such an 



Irvine to Washington. 99 



I shall leave town this day to go to the army upon the 
iSTorth river. Your letters to me may be pat under care to 
the secretary at war. 

IX. — Irvine to "Wasiiingtojs". 

Fort Pitt, April 20, 1782. 
Sir: — I arrived here the 25th of March. At that time 
things were in greater confusion than can well be conceived. 
The country people were, to all appearance, in a fit of frenzy. 
About three hundred had just retnrned from the Moravian 
towns, where they found about ninety men, women and 
children [Moravian Indians, usually so stated], all of whom 
they put to death, ^ it is said, after cool deliberation and con- 
sidering the matter for three days. The whole were collected 
into their church and tied when singing hymns.^ On [after] 

outgrowth of the story of the cherry tree and little hatchet, as to excite in 
them raptures of delight; but, to more mature minds, "the end justified the 
means." 

' As the killing of these Indians occurred at Gnadenhuetten, the middle vil- 
lage, upon what is now known as the Tuscarawas river, in Tuscarawas 
county, Ohio, before that time occupied by the Moravian Indians and their 
teachers, it is usually known as "the Gnadenhuetten affair." 

^ Concerning the expedition to the " Moravian towns " — known in history as 
" Williamson's expedition," from Col. David Williamson, the one who com- 
manded it — and the investigation which followed, only a brief account in 
this connection can be given. 

Early in 1782, war parties committed sundry depredations upon the border. 
The first was the killing of John Pink, a young man, near Buchanan fort. 
The particulars areas follow: " On the 8th of February, 1782, while Henry 
Fink and his son John were engaged in sledding rails on their farm in the 
Buchanan settlement, several guns were simultaneously discharged at them, 
and before John had time to reply to his father's inquiry whether he was hurt, 
another gun was fired and he fell lifeless. Having unlinked the chain which 
fastened the horse to the sled, the old man galloped briskly away. He reached 
his home in safety, and immediately moved his family to the fort." — Wither s 
Border Warfare, pp. 232, 233. 

The next maraud was the taking from their homes of Mrs. Robert Wallace 
and her three children on Eaccoon creek, of which the following is an account: 
" By a gentleman who lately arrived here [Philadelphia] from the westward, 
we have the following information: that, about the 8th ult., a woman [Mrs. 
Robert Wallace] and four [three] children were taken prisoners by the Indians, 



100 Washlngtoii-I rvine Correspondence. 

their return, a party came and attacked a few Delaware In- 
dians, who have yet remained with us, on a small island close 
by tliis garrison, killed two who liad captains' commissions in 

25 miles west of Fort Pitt. Happily a heavy snow fallingf the same night 
prevented much more mischief, as there were upwards of forty Indian tracks 
found in the snow next morning'. [See, post, p. 318 and note thereto.] This 
naturally threw the people in the neigliborhood into the greatest consterna- 
tion and will be a means of causing much distress, unless timely relieved. 
General Irwin [Irvine] is now on his way to Pittsburgli; he will do every thing 
possible for the assistance of the distressed inhabitants. If the general has 
money to pay the militia, etc., there is no doubt he will find men enough to 
keep the Indians at a distance, and to enable the farmers to put in their 
crops in due season." — Pennsijhama Packet, Mai'ch 30, 1782 (No. 865). 

Both of these accounts are referred to in the foUowing: " I am told this 
day that the Indians have made sundry depredations on the frontiers of this 
country, during the last open spell of weather, on Raccoon creek and up the 
Monongahela, I think at a place called Buchanan. I fear this is the begin- 
ning of more than usual calamity." — Thomas Scott to Fres't Moore, from 
Washington county, February 20, 1782. (See, also, post, p. 239, note 4, 
third clause, where these depredations are referred to. ) The next raid of the 
Indian warriora resulted in the capturing of John Carpenter, on Buffalo creek, 
particulars of which are hereafter given (see, p. 101; p. 339, note 4; p. 241, 
notes 3 and 4). 

These marauds, coming so early in the year, took the borderei-s by surprise, 
causing, as we have seen, " the greatest consternation," as no visitations were 
expected before about the first of April. (Post, p. 341.) The belief was 
prevalent that "enemy Indians " (that is, warriors — hostile savages) were 
upon the Tuscarawas (then called the Muskingum), occupying the previously 
deserted Moravian Indian towns. Thereupon, the lieutenant of Washington 
county ordered out a number of the militia against them. They assembled 
upon the bank of the Ohio, intending to cross over to the Mingo bottom on 
the west side of the river — a point some forty miles by land and seventy-five 
by water below Pittsburgh. The weather was very cold and stormy and the 
river high. This discouraged some and they turned back; othei-s, however, 
succeeded in getting safely to the Indian side of the Ohio, The militia 
marched under command of Col. David Williamson, of the third battalion of 
his county. Upon reaching the Tuscai-awas, a considerable number of 
Moravian Indians were found — men, women and children; all of whom 
were taken prisoners except two, who were killed as the town — Gnaden- 
huetten — was reached. Subsequently, the whole were put to death, two 
boys only escaping. It is said that, with the killed, were, also, some " enemy 
Indians." Such, in a word, was the origin, progress and result of 
Williamson's expedition. The first reference to it published, was the follow- 
ing: " Philadelphia, April 6. A very important advantage has lately been 
gained over our savage enemies on the frontiers of this state, by a party of 



Irvine to Washington. 101 



our service, and several others; the remainder effected their 
escape into the fort, except two who ran to the woods, and 
have not since been lieard of. Tliere was an officer's guard 

the back county militia. We hope to give particulars in our next." — Fenn- 
sylmnia Packet, April 9, 1782 (No. 868). 

But how was it that these " Moravians " had returned to the Tuscarawas? 
after the breaking up of the missionary establishments there, as already ex- 
plained (ante, p. 60)? The answer is this: Impelled by a scarcity of provisions, 
about 150 men, women and children, having received permission from the 
Wyandots upon the Sandusky, started for their old homes where there was 
plenty of corn still standing left ungathered of the last year's growth. Reach- 
ing the valley they pursued their labors until captured, as just mentioned, by 
the Washington county militia under Col. Williamson. 

Some time after the return of the militia, an inquiry into the " Gnaden- 
huetten affair " was ordered by Pennsylvania and Virginia, at the request of 
congress ; — the steps taken and what the results were, are hereafter men- 
tioned. All accounts strkthf contemporaneous that have been found, whether 
printed or in manuscript, in anywise relating to this expedition, are given in 
tliese pages. But, as a discussion of the events which transpired after the 
militia reached the valley of the Tuscarawas does not come within the scope 
proposed for this work, none will be entered upon. The following is the first 
account published of the expedition : 

" In a late paper we gave an account that a woman and three children had 
been carried off by the savages from their habitation near Fort Pitt; and in 
our paper of the 9th [6th] inst. we mentioned an advantage being gained 
over those Indians. By a gentleman who arrived here on Saturday last from 
Washington county we have the following particulars: That on the 17th oi 
Feb. last the wife and tliree children of one Robert Wallace, an inhabitant on 
Raccoon creek (during his abnence from home), were carried off by a party of 
Indians. Mr. Wallace, on his return home in the evening, finding his wife and 
children gone, his house broke up, the furniture destroyed, his cattle shot and 
laying dead about in the yard, immediately alarmed the neighbors, and a 
party was raised that night, who set out early the next morning; but unfor- 
tunately a snow fell, which prevented their following, and they were obliged 
to return. About this time, a certain John Carpenter was taken prisoner from 
the waters of Buffalo creek in said county, and another party had fired at a 
man, whom they missed, and he escaped from them. These different parties 
of Indians, striking the settlements so early in the season, greatly alarmed 
the people, and but too plainly evinced their determination to harass the 
frontiers, and nothing could save them but a quick and spirited exertion. 
They therefore came to a determination to extirpate the aggressors and, if 
possible, to recover the people that had been carried off; and having received 
intelligence from a person who was taken prisoner last fall (but had made his 
escape and come home a few days before), that the Indian towns on the 
Muskingum had not moved as they had been told, a number of men properly 
provided, collected and rendezvoused on the Ohio, opposite the Mingo Bot- 



10^ Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

on the island at the same time, but he eitlier did not do his 
duty or his men connived at the thinly; which, I am not yet 
able to ascertain. This last outrage was committed the day 
before I arrived; nothing of this nature has been attempted 
since.* 

torn, with a design to surprise the above towns. The weather was very cold 
and stormy, the river high and no boats or canoes to transport them across. 
These difficulties discouraged some, but 160 determined to persevere, and they 
swam the river, in doing of which some of their horses perished with the sever- 
ity of the cold. When they got over, officers were chosen, and they proceeded 
to the towns on the Muskingum, where the Indians had collected a large quan- 
tity of provisions to supply their war parties. They arrived at the town iu the 
night, undiscovered, attacked the Indians in their cabins, and so completely 
surprised them that they killed and scalped upwards of ninety (but few mak- 
ing their escape), about forty of which were warriors, the rest old men, 
women and children. About eighty horses fell into their hands, which they 
loaded with the plunder, the greatest part furs and skins, and returned to the 
Ohio, without the loss of one man, and at the place where they Kihose their 
officers they held a vendue. And in order to prevent the inhabitants from 
bidding against the adventurers, they divided the spoil equally between 
officers and men, first reimbursing those who had lost their horses in swimming 
the river. [In the foregoing, "fall " should doubtless be "February."] 

"The person above mentioned to have escaped from the enemy says, that 
he was taken by six Indians, two of which called themselves Moravians, and 
spoke good Dutch, and were the most severe and ill-natured to him. He was 
taken to the above towns, and from thence four of the above Indians set out 
with him for St. Duskie. The second day of their march, in the morning, he 
was sent out for the horses when he left them, and, being a good woodsman, 
came oil" clear and got to Fort Pitt. [This was Cai'penter: see p. 243, note.] 

" While at Muskingum the two Moravian Indians learnt him an Indian 
song, which they frequently made him sing, by way of insult, and afterward 
interpreted to him in obscene language; and he left them at Muskingum 
where they staid, in order to go out with the next party against our settle- 
ments. 

"Our informant further says, that last Thursday two weeks, upwards of 
300 men, properly equipped on hoi-seback, set out for St, Duskie. It is hoped 
they will succeed in their expedition, and hereby secure themselves from the 
future encroaches of the savages. " — Pennsylvania Packet, April 16, 1782 (No. 
872). 

^Tlie borderers who committed " this last outrage " were not the same or- 
ganized party that took part in the " Gnadenhuetten atfair," as the language 
of Irvine might be construed to mean. The killing was done on Smoky, or 
Killbuck's Island, since gone. The following will be found of interest as 
relating to the transactions: 

"And before this time a party had come from the Chartiers, a settlement 
south of the Monongahela, in the neighborhood of this town [Pittsburgh], and 



Irvine to Washington. 103 

A number of wrong-headed men had conceived an opinion 
that Colonel Gibson was a friend to Indians, and that he must 
be killed also. These transactions, added to the then mutinous 
disposition of the regular troops, had nearly brought on the 
loss of this whole country. I am confident, if this post was 
evacuated, the bounds of Canada would be extended to the 
Laurel Hill in a few weeks. I have the pleasure, however, to 
inform your excellency that things now wear a more favorable 
aspect. The troops are again reduced to obedience,^ and I 

had attacked some friendly Indians on the island in the Ohio (Killbuck's 
Ishxnd), under the protection of the garrison, and had killed several, and 
amongst them some that had been of essential service to the whites, in expe- 
ditions against Indian towns, and on scouting parties in case of attacks upon 
the settlements. One to whom the whites had given the name of Wilson 
(Captain Wilson) was much regretted by the garrison." — ItOndiOns Indian 
Wars, Vol. 1, pp. 54, 55. 

The faithful services of the unfortunate Delaware captain just mentioned, 
had long been appreciated at Fort Pitt, as shown by the following certificate: 

"FoKT Pitt, November 18, 1781. 

" I certify that in consequence of the faithful service of Captain Wilson (an 
Indian), as well as to encourage him to be active in future expeditions and de- 
tachments, I did, last spring, make him a present of a small black horse, 
belonging to the United States. 

"Daniel Brodhead, Col. 1st P. Reg." 

' The following communication from the non-commissioned officers and sol- 
diers of the seventh Virginia regiment to General Irvine, written probably 
soon after his return to Fort Pitt, clearly sets forth their grievances: 
"To the Honorable Brigadier General William Irvine, Esq., commanding 
western department: 

" We, the non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the 7th Virginia regi- 
ment, having heard the speech your honor made to the troops at this post, 
do present you with these few lines, as follow: 

" We have been at this post almost four years, and have been without pay 
two years and three months of the time; this undoubtedly your honor must 
be acquainted with. Your honor likewise saw when you first arrived here in 
what a deplorable condition we were, for want of clothing, almost naked, sev- 
eral days wanting provisions, in cold, open barracks with little fuel or fire — 
these extremities made us to utter things much to the prejudice of the char- 
acter of soldiers; but that thing of murder, mutiny or desertion we abhor and 
disdain — it never was our real intentions, and we should look upon every one 
that has had that bad opinion of us to be our enemies. We have always 
been ready to exert ourselves in the service of our country, but more particu- 
larly, on these frontiers, entrusted to our charge. We are too sensible of the 
troubles and inconveniences (although there is but a handful of regular troops 



lO^' Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

have had a meeting or convention of the conntv lieutenants 
and several field officers, with wlioni I have made arrangements 
for defending their frontiers, and who promise to exert them- 
selves in drawing out the militia,- agreeably to law, on my 
requisitions.^ The few remaining Indians, chiefly women and 

here) if this post should be evacuated. Though we have been upbraided by 
the country inhabitants for our fidelity — they calling- us fools, cowards and a 
set of mean fellows for staying without our pay and just dues — yet we think 
more of our honor than to listen to any advice than what is given to us by 
our otEcers. 

" It is reported amongst the soldiery that the officers of our regiment and 
the Indians have received pay ; if it is so, we are sorry that the Indians should 
be paid in preference to us. But this is news we cannot well credit. We are 
well assured your honor is too much of a soldier's friend. 

"We thought it very hard when the depreciation money was paid to the 
Pennsylvania line and none to the Virginia; and if the Indians have received 
pay, we think this harder. 

"We are very sorry the country is not better able to pay the troops em- 
ployed in its service; but we must needs know and consider within our breasts, 
that when the war commenced the country was young and unprepared, and 
must of consequence be much in debt; but we hope it will overcome all in a 
short time, to our great joy and satisfaction, and we have no further reason 
to complain. We have nothing further to add, but remain your honor's most 
obedient and faithful soldiers of the 7th Vu'ginia regiment." 

' Notes taken by Irvine at this convention were as follow: 

"Arrangement of troops in the western district. 

"Forts Pitt ai.d Mcintosh gamsoned by regular troops. Westmoreland 
county to keep in actual service sixty-five men. These are formed into two 
companies, under the direction of a field officer. They are to be constantly 
ranging along the frontier (and do not occupy any stationary post) from the 
Alleghany river to the Laurel Hill. 

" Washington county to keep in actual service IGO militia, to range along 
the Ohio, from Montour's Bottom to Wheeling, thence some distance along 
the southern line — under two field officers. 

" I have not yet been able to draw any from the counties of Virginia, even 
for their own defense. The lieutenants say, in excuse, that they have not re- 
ceived any instructions for this purpose from government; that they are not 
able, etc. I have written the governor on this subject." 

The foregoing notes were afterward extended, thus: \ 

"Lieutenants and sub-lieutenants and field officers of the several counties 
west of Laurel Hill assembled at Fort Pitt, Friday, April 5, 1782, at the re- 
quest of General Irvine, to concert measures for the defense of tl:e frontiers. 
[There were] present for Westmoreland [county] Colonel [Edward] Cook, 
lieutenant; Colonel [Charles] Campbell, sub-lieutenant. For Washington 
[county], Colonel [George] Vallandigham, sub-lieutenant; Colonel [David] 



Irvine to WasJdngton. 105 

cliildren, are exceedingly troublesome to us, as they dare not 
stir out of the fort; not one of the warriors will even venture 
on a reconnoitering party. I think tliey would be better in 
some more interior part of the country, where they could be 
both cheaper fed and clothed. Besides, it is not only incon- 

Williamson, Colonel [Thomas] Crooks, Maj. [James] Carmichael, James Ed- 
gar, Esq. For Ohio county. Colonel [David] Shepherd, lieutenant; Major 
[Samuel] McCoUoch. 

"The aforenamed persons unanimously agreed that the best mode of defend- 
ing the frontier will be to keep flying bodies of men constantly on the frontier, 
marching to and from the different places; three companies for Washington 
and two for Westmoreland. Forts Pitt and Mcintosh to be garrisoned by 
regular troops. Westmoreland county is to keep in actual service sixty-five 
men; these are to be form d into two companies, under the direction of a 
field ofiicer. They are to be constantly ranging along the frontier, and not 
occupy any stationary post, from tiie Alleghany river to the Laurel Hill. 
Washington county is to keep in actual service 160 militia, to range along the 
Ohio, from Montour's Bottom to Wheeling; thence some distance along the 
southern line, under two field officers. I have not been able to draw any 
from the counties of Virginia, even for their own defense. The lieutenants 
say, in excuse, that they have not received any instructions for this purpose 
from government ; that they are not able, etc. I have written the governor 
[of Virginia] on this subject." 

Two weeks after the before-mentioned meeting at Fort Pitt, Irvine issued 
the following: 
" Instructions for Major Scott. 

*' Sir: — Four companies of militia are called out for the purpose of defend- 
ing the frontier of Washington county. You are to take command of two 
companies, who are to be kept constantly in motion from Montour's Bottom 
to Decker's or Mingo Bottom [a station on the east side of the Ohio]. As 
the whole of this frontier is entrusted to your charge, 1 have no doubt you 
will make such arrangements and dispose of these two companies so as best 
to answer the purpose. 

" It will therefore be incumbent on you to visit the companies frequently 
and see that the men are alert and attentive to duty; but above all, you will 
dispose of them in such a manner as that very short intervals will take place 
between the different parties marching and counter-marching. You will 
direct the officers commanding companies or parties, should they discover 
signs of an enemy, to alarm not only the other companies and parties, but 
they are to inform the neighboring settlements, and to be extremely cautious 
at the same time to guard against false alarms or reports. You will also 
direct them to send me notice of any material occurrence by express (one of 
their men), the lower company to that next this way, the officer commanding 
there to send one of his men — the first to return to his company. 

" You will make weekly returns to me of the number of men and officers 



106 WasJi'nigton-Irvlne Correspondence. 

venient but improper to have tlicm among tlie troops, who 
are, without them, crowded iu dirty, bad barracks. I beg your 
excellency's instructions how to dispose of them. Their chief, 
Killbuck,^ has a son and brother at Princeton college, whom 
he is an^dous to see. 

Captain [Uriah] Springer,- of the Yirginia line, marched, 

actually on duty under you; and you will direct each captain or officer com- 
manding: a company, in the last week of the month, to make out a muster- 
roll of his company, pointing out the day of the month each man joined, 
and also if any left him, and what day, noting the cause. This muster-roll 
must be sworn to by the officer and certified either by Colonel [James] Mar- 
shel [lieutenant of Washing-ton county], one of the sub-lieutenants, a justice 
of the peace, or by you. When so completed it must be transmitted to me. 
You will likewise compare with the officers their returns of men, the muster- 
rolls and provision returns, and with them correct any mistakes. 

" It is impossible to give instructions so minute but what circumstances 
may intervene either to make an alteration necessary or something done which 
is not at first, nor can be, foreseen. A great deal must therefore depend on 
your own judgment and prudence. Among other matters, however, you will 
take particular care that no unnecessary waste of public property of any kind 
is committed. 

"Given under my hand at Fort Pitt, April 18, 1782. 

"Wm. Irvine, B. Gen'l. 

"To Major Scott, Washington Militia." 

' John Killbuck, Jr., an hereditary chief of the Delawares, son of John 
Killbuck and grandson of King Newcomer, was born in 1737, near the Le- 
high Water-Gap, in Northampton county, Pennsylvania. Pearly in tlie revo- 
lution he was at the head of the council of his nation, upon the Tuscarawas 
and Muskingum, in what is now the eastern part of Ohio. He remained true 
to the United State.s after a large part of the Delawares went over to the 
British Indians, putting himself and a smtill number of followers under 
the protection of the commander at Fort Pitt, where he was at the date of the 
a,bove letter. Some years afterward he joined the Moravian Indians, being 
named, at baptism, William Henry. Subsequent to the victory of Wayne 
over the allied nations, he wa? urged by his tribe, which had become recon- 
ciled to him, to resum? his offic? of chief, but this he declined. He died in 
1811, in Goshen, Tuscarawas county, Ohio. 

2 "Died, at his residence near Connellsville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, 
■on Thursday, 21st ult., Major Uriah Springer in the 73d year of his age. His 
father's family was amongst the, first settlers west of the Alleghany moun- 
tains before the revolutionary war. Uriah, at the age of nineteen, was com- 
missioned by Lord Dunmore, then governor of Virginia, an ensign in a 
company of rang.^rs organized for the protection of this frontier, .and was the 
first ofiicer that commanded the stockade at this place [Brownsville] in 1774, 



Irvine to Washington. 107 

some time since, with three Indians and as many white men, 
towards Sandasky, for the purpose of gaining intelligence; 
but the Indians proved too timid for him to venture to go all 
the way. He of course returned, without being able to ac- 
complish anything. I thought it too great a risk, but it was 
by his request, and that of the Indians, who were very solicit- 
ous.^ It was proved on one of the party, named [John] Eels, 

commonly called Redstone Old Fort. He was subsequently commissioned in 
the Vu-ginia line and served as captain in the army of the revolution until the 
end of the war. After the peace of 1783, he continued in the small military 
establishment of the country and served in several campaigns against the In- 
dians. After the treaty of Greenville, by Geu. Wayne, he retired to his fam- 
ily. During the late war [1812-15], although advanced in years, he was 
appointed brigade inspector and served a winter campaign on the northwest- 
ern frontier. He has left an aged widow [Sarah], daughter of the late 
Colonel [William] Crawford [and formerly a widow of William Harrison], 
who [both] fell a sacrifice to Indian barbarity at [not far from] Upper San- 
dusky." — Brownsville [Pa.] Observer, 1826, cited in Hazard's Register, Vol. 
I, p. 416. 

' General Irvine's instructions to Captain Springer were as follow: 

"Fort Pitt, April 12, 1782. 

"iSiV; — The nature of the service you go on is such that confining you by 
particular instructions might defeat the purpose intended. 

" In general, however, I wish you to consider your command (on account of 
the smallness of your number) mora in the light of an reconnoitering party 
than calculated for offensive operations against the enemy. You will, there- 
fore, proceed with great caution; your route first, for thirty or forty miles, in- 
clining up the Alleghany river. Should you not discover any traces of an 
enemy on that route, you will proceed toward Sandusky, where you will use 
every prudent means in your power to gain intellegence of the strength and 
intentions of the enemy; whether any white men are among them; and 
whether they are regular British troops or refugees, or as they call themselves — 
"rangers; " who now commands at Detroit; what the strength of the garri- 
son is; or whether they have received, this spring, re-enforcements of men, 
provisions, etc. The best mode, I think, of obtaining this end would, if prac- 
ticable, be by capturing one or more white men. 

"If you should discover such symptoms of bodies of the enemy being on 
their march, so large as to endanger any of our posts, or the settlements on 
the frontier of this country, you will either return or send me notice by one 
of your party w hom you can confide in, as in your judgment the case may 
merit. Should you meet a smaller party than j'our own, I make no doubt you 
will give a good account of them, provided you can effect it without risk of 
frustrating your principal object. Given under my hand at Fort Pitt, this 
12th day of April, 1782. " Wm. Irvike, B. Gen'l. 

" Captain Uriah Sprixger." 



lOS ~\Yasliin(jton-lrvine Correspondence. 

that he intended betraying Captain Springer, and all the party, 
into the hands of the enemy. I directed a board of officers 
to inquire into his conduct, who were of opinion he should 
suffer death. 1 ordered him executed; he was shot on the 12tli 
instant, seemingly much to the satisfaction of the other 
Indians.^ 

Civil authority is by no means properly established in this 
country, which I doubt not proceeds in some degree from in- 
attention in the executives of Virginia and Pennsylvaiiia. Not 

' John Eels, the Indian, was executed for " an intention of making his es- 
cape to, and joining the enemy, and also trying to prevail on others to do the 
same," as will appear from the following record of General Irvine's orders' in- 
quiring into the guilt or innocence of the accused : 

"Fort Pitt, .l/>n7 11, 1782. 

" A board of officers will assemble immediately at Colonel Gibson's quarters 
to inquire into and report their opinion to the general whether John Eels, an 
Indian, is guilty of an intention of making his escape to and joining the 
enemy and of his trying to prevail on others to do the same; and also to give 
their opinion in ca-e he did go, whether it was or not evidently his intention 
to discover to the enemy the design of the party under Captain Springer, of 
which he was to have been one. Colonel Gibson [is to bej president; Lieu- 
tenant-Colonels Wuibert and [Stephen] Bayard, Major [Isaac] Craig and 
Captain [John] Clark, members. If the board is of opinion John Eels is 
guilty, they will please to mention in their report what punishment should be 
inflicted." 

" FoiiT Pitt, Apr\l 12, 1782. 

"At a board of officers of which Colonel Gibson is president, — to inquire 
and report their opinion whether John Eels, an Indian, is guilty of an inten- 
tion of making his escape to and joining the enemy, and trying to prevail on 
others to do the same, and also to report their opuiion whether it was not evi- 
dently his intention to discover to the enemy the design of the party under 
Captain Springer, of which he was to have been one ; the board reports to 
General Irvine as their opinion that John Eels, an Indian, is guilty of an in- 
tention of making his escape to and joining the enemy, and also trying to 
prevail on others to do the same. The board further reports it is their opin- 
ion that if he had gone off, Captain Springer and the party under his com- 
mand must have been discovered and the design of the party. The board is 
of opinion that John Eels ought to suffer death as a traitor. The general con- 
firms the opinion of the board, and directs that John Eels, an Indian, shall be 
shot to death this day at one o'clock at the foot of the gallows on the bank of 
the Alleghany river. The major of brigade will see this order executed. A 
party consisting of one subaltern, one sergeant, one corporal, one drum, one 
fife, and twenty rank and file, properly armed and accoutred will attend at 
the execution, — to parade at half past twelve." 



Irvine to Washington. 109 

running the boundary line is, I think, a proof of this, which 
is at present an excuse for neglects of duty of all kinds, for 
at least twenty miles on each side of the line. More evils 
will arise from this n,eglect, than people are aware of. Emi- 
grations and new states are much talked of. Advertisements 
are set up, announcing a day to assemble at Wheeling, for all 
who wish to become members of a new state on the Mus- 
kingum. A certain Mr. J ^ is at the head of this party; 

he is ambitious, restless, and some say disaffected. Most peo- 
ple, however, agree he is open to corruption; he has been in 
England since the commencement of the present war. Should 
these people actually emigrate, they must be either entirely 
cutoff, or immediately take protection from the British, which 
I fear is the real design of some of the party, though I think 
a great majority have no other views than to acquire lands. 
As I apprehended taking cognizance of these matters would 
come best from the civil authority, I have written to the gov- 
ernors of yirginia~ and Pennsylvania^ on the subject, which 
I should not have done, till I had first acquainted your excel- 
lency thereof, but for this consideration, namely, that the 20th 
of May is the day appointed for the emigrants to rendezvous; 
consequently, a representation from you would be too late, in 
case the states should think proper to take measures to pre- 
vent them.* I am much embarrassed by the scanty and irregu- 
lar supply of provision. I intend to write to Mr. Morris on 
this head. 

X. — Irvine to Washington. 

Fort Pitt, May 2, 1782. 
Sir: — I did not receive your excellency's letter of the 22d 
of March until two days ago. I shall observe your directions 
respecting the roads, etc., leading to Niagara. As yet, I have 

' This blank is filled, in the original,. wibh the surname of the leader of the 
new state scheme. I have thought best to omit it. 

^ See Irvine to Governor Benjamin Harrison, April 20, 1782, Appendix H. 

^See Irvine to Wm. Moore, May 9, 1782, Appendix G. 

* Gen. Irvine had previously mentioned the subject of emigration to the 
Indian country and of a new state, to the governor of Pennsylvania, in a letter 
dated December 3, 1781 (see first letter of Appendix G); and, in reply, that 
official suggested a plan to divert the attention of the people from the scheme. 



110 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

not been able to fall in with any person who has even a toler- 
able knowledge of them. There has been very little communi- 
cation with that quarter since last war; and few of the people 
who were then employed are now living. Several of the officers 
who went with Colonel Brodhead, in 1779, up the Alleghany, 
say they marched about one hundred and seventy miles to a 
creek called Connewango,^ They were informed that it took 
its rise about thirty miles from that place in a small lake; 
that, at this lake, the waters divided; other small streams run 
out of it towards Niagara, and that thence the country was 
pretty level and neither rivers nor morasses of any conse- 
quence in the way. As far as Colonel Brodhead went, it was 
almost impassable either by water or land. The greater part 
of the way along the river was one continued defile. They 
went in September: at that season, it was with difficulty they 
got up some small canoes, and this on the main branch of the 
Alleghany. They took pack-horses along. Some say they 
were at one time not more than thirty miles from General 
Sullivan's line of march, or rather I believe the extreme point 
he marched to.^ 

I have it in report from officers and others, that French 
creek from Yenango^ to Le Boeuf'* is so full of timber that 

' This creek rises on the line between Chautauqua and Cattaraugus coun- 
ties, New York, flowing along their boundaries, then curving across the south- 
east part of the first mentioned county, receiving, meanwhile, Cassadaga 
creek and the outlet of Chautauqua lake; pursuing thence a south course, to 
the Alleghany river, which it enters at Warren, in Warren county, Pennsyl- 
vania. An army moving from Pittsburgh up the Alleghany to the mouth of 
the Connewango, thence up that creek and through Chautauqua lake to its 
head, would have had a portage of only eight miles to Lake Erie. 

"See Introduction, pp. 42-44, where particulars of Brodhead's expedi- 
tion are recited. Major-General John Sullivan in August, 1779, commanded 
an expedition against the Indians of the Six Nations from Tioga Point on the 
Susquehanna. He laid waste their settlements, especially upon the Genessee 
river, which was the farthest point to the westward reached by him. On his 
way out, he inflicted a severe defeat upon the Indians under Brant and the 
Tories under Sir John Johnson, at what is now Newtown, New York. 

^ Venango was the site of a French fort which was destroyed in August, 
1759. It was afterward occupied as a British post, the garrison being mur- 
dered by the savages in 1763. It was at or near the present town of Frank- 
lin, Pennsylvania. 

* The French burned Fort Le Boeuf at the same time Venango was destroyed. 



It'vine to Washington. Ill 

it would take great labor to clear it, and that, in the summer 
season, it is a very small stream. From Le Boenf to Presq' 
Isle,^ the old bridged road is entirely rotten and under water. 
These gentlemen assert that it would be easier to make a new 
road than to repair the old one. By these accounts, it appears 
almost impracticable to march any but light troops, without 
artillery or heavy stores or baggage. I will, however, continue 
to get the best accounts in my power and transmit them to 
your excellenc}^ 

In my letter of the 20th of April, I mentioned that the 
troops were reduced to obedience. Since that time, desertions 
have been numerous, and though nothing like general mutiny 
has taken place, yet several individuals have behaved in the 
most daring and atrocious manner, two of whom are now 
under sentence and shall be executed to-morrow, which I hope 
will check these proceedings.^ 

I have sent several officers mounted after the deserters, who 

This post, like Fort Venango, was afterward occupied by the British, but 
the gari'ison was cut oft' in Pontiac's war, except one officer and seven men. 

'There was a fort at Presq' Isle erected by the French, but destroyed by 
them when Fort Le Boeuf and Fort Venango were burned. It was a British 
post subsequently; but its garrison was cut oft' in the war of 1763, by the 
savages. It occupied the site of the present city of Erie, Pennsjdvania. 

''The following is from the MS. orderly book of General Irvine: 

'' April oQ, 1782. 
" After Orders. 

" At a general court martial, of which Colonel Gibson is president — John 
Phillips and Thomas Steed, soldiers in the seventh Virginia regiment, were 
tried for mutiny and disobedience of orders in opposing by violence and mak- 
ing an actual attack upon their officer [Lieutenant Samuel Brj'son of the 
second Pennsylvania regimentl when in the execution of his office [as com- 
mandant of Fort Mcintosh], by which a post of consequence belonging to the 
United States was in danger of falling into the hands of the enemy. The 
court having duly considered the evidence and the defense of the prisoners 
are of opinion that they are guilty of a breach of the third and fifth articles 
of the second section of the articles of war, and do sentence the prisoners 
Thomas Steed and John Phillips to suff"er death. 

"It is always with pain that General Irvine orders any punishment inflicted 
on a soldier; but, in crimes of so heinous a nature, which, in their tendency, 
endanger not only the safety and lives of some thousands of the good people 
of this part of the country, but ultimately might be attended with ruinous 
consequences to the cause and interests of the United States — on these prin- 
ciples, the general would think himself criminal were he to suffer men so 



ll'B Waslmigton-Irvine Con'esjpondence. 

take different routes; and I sent bj them circular letters to 
the county lieutenants and militia officers, bj ^s'llich means I 
hope to have some of them taken. ^ 



XI. — Irvinp: to "Washington. 

Fort Pitt, Ifay 7, 1782. 
Sir: — Since my last letter to your excellenc}', [Lieutenant] 
Colonel "Wuibert," the engineer, has been continually teasing me 

evidently guilty of the highest criines which a soldier can possibly be guilty 
of, to escape- The general approves and confirms the sentence." 
The following petition was sent to Irvine by the condemned soldiers: 

" To the Honorable Brigadier General William Irvine, Esq., commanding 
the Western Department : 
" Honorable Sir: — Your poor, unhappy, dying petitioners humbly beg of 
your honor's goodness to spare our lives for the space of some time longer 
that we may make our peace with the Almighty God, we being in a bad situ- 
ation to resign our mortality and change it to immortality. We hope and 
beg of your honor to grant us this request in this our last dying moments, 
and we hope the Almighty God will ever bless and requite your goodness 
hereafter. 

" From your honor's sincere, penitent and humble petitioners, 

"John Phillips, 
"Thomas Steed. 
"Fort Pitt Guakd House, Ajml 30, 1782." 

The following additional orders were issued by Irvine: 

" Fort Pitt, Mat/ 2, 1782. 

"John Phillips and Thomas Steed, soldiers in the seventh Virginia regi- 
ment under sentence of death, are to be executed to-morrow forenoon between 
the hours of eleven and twelve o'clock." 

" Fort Pitt, May 3, 1782. 
" Morning Orders. 

" One subaltern, one sergeant, one corporal, one drum and all the fifers in 
the garrison, twenty rank and file, properly armed and accoutred will attend 
the execution. Captain Brady as officer of the day will see it performed. 
The party will parade at eleven o'clock. 

" Notwithstanding the general is determined to keep up subordination and 
strict discipline, he nevertheless has feelings of humanity. Though con- 
strained by duty to make examples in full expectation that the example 
shown this day will evince this, and in compassion for his youth, in hopes he 
may be reclaimed and yet make a good soldier and citizen, the general is 
pleased to pardon John Phillips." Steed was executed. (See Appendix 
M,— Bryson to Irvine, April 29, 1782.) 

> See Marshel to Irvine, May 1, 1782, Appendix J. 

' A lieutenant-colonel in the continental corps of engineers. 



Irvine to Washington. 113 

for leave to go to Philadelphia, which I informed him I could 
by no means grant without your permission. If your excel- 
lency has nothing more in view for him in this quarter than 
barely to superintend repairing the works at this post, his 
attendance may, without injury to the service, be dispensed 
with, especially as Major [Isaac] Craig of artillery is on the 
spot, whose knowledge of the executive part I have more de- 
pendence on than Colonel Wuibert's. This accompanies his 
letter on the subject.^ 

XII. — Irvine to AVasittngton. 

Fort Pitt, May 21, 1782. 
Sir: — A number of the principal people of tliis country 
made application to me, about two weeks since, for my con- 
sent to their collecting a body of volunteers to go against 
Sandusky," which I agreed to on these express conditions: that 
they did not mean to extend their settlements,^ nor had any- 
thing in view but to harass the enemy, with an intention to 
protect the frontier, and that any conquests they might make 
should be in behalf and for the United States; that they 
would be governed by military laws as militia; that they must 
collect such numbers as might probably be successful; and, 
lastly, that they would equip themselves and victual at their 
own expense. They are accordingly assembling this day at 
the Mingo Bottom,'' all on horseback,— with thirty days' pro- 

^ The desired permission was granted. See Appendix M, — Wuibert to 
Irvine, no date. 

2 By " Sandusky," General Irvine meant a Wyandot Indian tovrn and set- 
tlement upon the Sandusky river in what is now Wyandot county, Ohio. It 
was then a rendezvous for British Indians of the northwest, preparatory to 
their striking the western borders of Pennsylvania and Virginia. Near by 
were located Shawanese, Mingoes, Monseys, Delawares and Ottawas. It was 
in easy communication with Detroit, headquarters of British troops for the 
whole country west of Niagara. 

* Irvine here refers to the scheme of some of the borderers of making new 
settlements upon the western or Indian side of the Ohio river, especially upon 
the Muskingum — the " new state scheme." 

*The Mingo Bottom here spoken of by General Irvine was on the east side 
of the Ohio, a little above but across the river from what is now Steubenville, 



111^, WasJiington- Irvine Correspondence. 

visions. They have asked of me only a few flints and a small 
supply of powder. 

As they will elect their officers, I have taken some 
pains to get Colonel [William] Crawford^ appointed to corn- 
Ohio. There was also a Mingo bottom below, on the west side of the Ohio 
(ante, p. 100, note), at which place the volunteers, after crossing the river, were 
to choose their officers and march thence directly for Sandusky. 

' William Crawford was born in Westmoreland county, Virginia; his fam- 
ily, however, early moved to Frederick county, beyond the Blue Ridge. Here 
he married Hannah Vance. He was about ten years older than Washington, 
but was taught by the latter the art of surveying. Up until the commence- 
ment of the old French war, Crawford's principal duties were such as usually 
appertain to a farmer's life. In 1755, he forsook the compass and the plow for 

" The pomp and circumstance of glorious war," 

receiving from the governor of Virginia a commission as ensign. He was first 
employed in garrison duty, or as a scout upon the frontiers. In 175S, he 
marched with the Virginia troops under Washington to Fort Duquesne. which 
post was reached and occupied in November. Crawford remained in the ser- 
vice, being promoted first to a lieut&nantcy — afterwards commissioned as 
captain. At the close of hostilities, he returned to his home and resumed his 
labors of farmer and surveyor. In Pontiac's war, which followed the seven 
years' war, he took an active part, doing efficient service in protecting the 
frontiers from savage incursions. 

While in the Virginia army, Crawford became familiar with the country 
watered by the Monongahela and its branches. He had, indeed, become en- 
amored of the trans- Alleghany region, and resolved, at some future day to 
make it his home. The time had now arrived to put his resolution into prac- 
tical effect. Early, ther(;fore, in the summer of 1765, he reached the You- 
ghiogheny river, where, at a place then known as "Stewart's Crossings," in 
what is now Fayette county, Pennsylvania, he chose his future residence; 
moving his family, consistmg of his wife and three children, over the moun- 
tains in the spring of 1766. With Crawford, at this place, the next year, 
Washington opened a correspondence, which continued until near the time 
of the above letter. (See The Wasliincjton-Crawford Letters. Cincinnati: 
Robert Clarke & Co.) 

Among the first employments of Crawford after his removal, besides farm- 
ing, were surveying and trading with the Indians. During the year 1770, he 
was appointed one o£ the justices of the peace for his county, Cumberland, 
then the most westerly county of Pennsylvania. In the autumn of that year, 
he received a visit, at his humble cabin upon the Youghiogheny, from Wash- 
ington, who was then on a tour down the Ohio. Crawford accompanied his 
friend to the Great Kanawha, the party returning to " Stewart's Crossings " 
late in November, whence Washington leisurely made his way back to Mfc. 
Vernon. 



Irvine to Washington. 115 

mand, and hoyje he will be. He left me yesterday on his way 
down to the place of rendezvous. He does not wish to go 
with a smaller number than four hundred; whether this 

In March, 1771, Bedford county havnig been formed from tliat part of 
Cumberland including the home of Crawford, he was appointed by Governor 
Penn one of the justices of the peace for the new county; and in 1773, the 
erection of Westmoreland from Bedford taking in his residence, he was com- 
missioned one of the "justices of the court of general quarter sessions of the 
peace, and of the county court of common pleas" for that county. As he 
was first named on the list of justices, he became by courtesy and usage the 
president judge of Westmoreland — the first to hold that office in the county. 
He was, the same year, appointed surveyor for the Ohio company, by the col- 
lege of William and Mary. 

In 1773, Lord Dimmore, the governor of Virginia, paid a visit to Crawford 
at his house upon the Youghiogheny, the occasion being turned to profitable 
account by both parties; by the Earl, in getting reliable information of desir- 
able lands; by Crawford, in obtaining promises for patents for such as he had 
sought out and surveyed. The next year — 1774 — occurred "Lord Dun- 
more's war," a conflict between the Virginians on the one side, and the Shaw- 
anese and Mingoes, principally, on the other. In this contest, Crawford was 
a prominent actor; — first as captain of a company on a scouting expedition, 
building, subsequently, along with Major Angus McDonald, a fort at the 
present site of Wheeling; afterwards as major in command of troops belong- 
ing to the division of the army which descended the Ohio to the mouth of 
Hocking river, in what is now the state of Ohio. The only fighting done in 
the Indian country after the bloody battle of Point Pleasant on the tenth of 
October, was by a detachment under Crawford, in what is now Franklin county, 
Ohio, where he surprised and destroyed two Mmgo villages, securing some 
prisoners as well as considerable amount of plunder, and rescuing two white 
captives. 

The interest taken by Crawford in this war operated greatly to prejudice 
his Pennsylvania friends against him ; for, among them, the conflict had been 
an exceedingly unpopular one. Crawford, who, at first had sided with Penn- 
sylvania in the boundary controversy subsisting between it and Virginia, now 
took part with the latter; so he was ousted from all offices held by him under 
authority of the former province. In December, 1774, he had been commis- 
sioned by Dunmore a justice of the peace and a justice of oyer and terminer 
for the county of Augusta, the court to be held at Fort Dunmore (Pittsburgh). 
He did not qualify, however, for these offices until after he had been super- 
seded in those held by him under Pennsylvania authority. Augusta county, 
as claimed by Virginia, included Crawford's home upon the Youghiogheny; 
afterwards the district of West Augusta was formed out of that county. 
Crawford's place of residence then fell in that district. Finally, when 
Yohogania county was established, his cabin came within its boundaries and 
so remained until Virginia relinquished her claim to southwestern Penn- 
sylvania. 



IIG WasMngton-Irvlne Corresjpondence. 

imniber will assemble I cannot say. lie pressed me 
for some officers. I have sent with him Lieutenant 

Crawford not only took office under Virginia, but he became an active 
partisan in extending the jurisdiction of his native province over the disputed 
territory. Some of his acts were doubtless oppressive, though he soon atoned 
for them in his patriotic course upon the breaking out of the revolution. 
The partisan feeling in his breast immediately gave place to the noble one of 
patriotism. He struck hands with Pennsylvanians in the cause of liberty. 

In 1776, Crawford entered the revolutionary ser-vice as lieutenant-colonel of 
the fifth Virginia regiment — William Peachy, colonel. He remained with 
his regiment until called to the command of the seventh in place of William 
Dangerfleld, resigned. Afterwards, being assigned to the duty of raising a 
new regiment — the thirteenth Virginia — he resigned his command of the 
seventh. His time thus far had been spent east of the mountains; but now, 
late in the year, he returned to his home; as the thirteenth — " West Augusta 
regiment" — was to be raised west of the Alleghanies. In August, 1777, 
with about two hundred of his new levies, Crawford joined the main army 
under Washington, who was then near Philadelphia. He rendered efficient 
service in the preliminary movements which resulted in the battle of Brandy- 
wine, and in that contest not only took an active and prominent part, but 
came near being captured. He was also, it seems, in the battle of German- 
town. Just before this. General Joseph Reed wrote Washington that he had 
" Colonel Crawford " with him, " a very good officer." 

Late in 1777, Crawford returned to his home, having been sent to the west 
by Washington to take a command under Brigadier- General Edward Hand. 
The commander-in-chief, in writing to the board of war on the twenty-third 
of the followiug May, spoke of Crawford as "a brave and active officer." 
His being ordered to the western department, lost him the command of the 
thirteenth Virginia and his place in the continental line, which Washington, 
although he regretted the circumstance, could not get restored to him. Under 
Brigadier-General Lachlan Mcintosh, who succeeded Hand in August, 1778, 
at Pittsburgh, Crawford took command of the militia of the western counties 
of Virginia and had in charge the building of Fort Mcintosh at what is now 
Beaver, in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. He marched with that officer into 
the Indian country in November, in command of a brigade, and was present 
at the building in December of Fort Laurens, upon the west bank of the 
Tuscarawas river, in what is now Tuscarawas county, Ohio. He returned 
soon after to his home, and, in the spring, again marched under Mcintosh 
into the wilderness to the relief of that post. Crawford had now but few 
prospects before him in a military way, nevertheless he lost no opportunity, 
when called upon, in serving his country; for he still held his commission as 
colonel, and continued to hold it until his death. 

Notwithstanding the time spent by him in the army, Crawford found leis- 
ure to fill several positions of honor and trust to which he had been called by 
his fellow citizens at home. In November, 1776, he was appointed deputy- 
surveyor of Yohogania county, and sat at intervals in 1777 and the following 



Irvine to Washington. 117 

Kose/ mj aid-de-camp, a veiy vigilant, active, brave young 
gentleman, well acquainted with service; and a surgeon.^ 

year as one of its judges. In 1778, he was one of the commissioners for ad- 
justing and settUng the boundary hne between Yohogania and Ohio counties, 
Virginia; and, in 1779, was commissioned as surveyor of his county, continu- 
ing in that olBce to the time of his death, which occurred before the return of 
the expedition spoken of by Irvine as assembhng at Mingo Bottom. (See 
last note to letter XIV, following.) 

' John Rose, familiarly known at Fort Pitt as " Major Rose." His real 
name was Gustavus H. de Rosenthal, or, more correctly, Henri Gustave 
Rosenthal. He was a Russian nobleman. Becoming involved in a duel, he 
killed his antagonist and fled his country. He arrived in America in the 
early days of the revolution; made his appearance in the cantonments of the 
patriot army, and gave his name as simply John Rose, studiously concealing 
his rank and birth. He was a fine looking young man ; spoke the French 
language, and having taken a brief course of surgery, in Baltimore, was ap- 
pointed subsequently surgeon of the seventh Pennsylvania regiment, having 
previously done duty as a surgeon's mate in one of the army hospitals. At 
length, owing to a feeling of jealousy on the part of some of the American, 
officers against foreigners, he resigned his position in his regiment and volun- 
teered as surgeon in the navy of the United States, only to be taken prisoner 
by the British and carried to New York. After being exchanged, he returned 
to Pennsylvania; was made ensign in a company of the fourth regiment of ■ 
that state, and lieutenant on the first of April, 1781. On the eighth of July 
following. General Irvine appointed him his aid. Upon Irvine taking com- 
mand at Pittsburgh, he brought with him Lieutenant Rose ; and, as above 
stated, when the expedition against Sandusky was planned, he was permitted 
by the genei'al to accompany it. He still kept his secret, but Irvine had had 
strong suspicions ever since first making his acquaintance, of his exalted 
character and station. He remained in the west until the return of the gen- 
eral from Fort Pitt, occasionally, as duty required, visiting Carlisle and Phila- 
delphia. The troops under Irvine were paid off, for the last time, by him. In 
the fall of 1783, he was secretary to the council of censors of Pennsylvania, 
and in the spring of 1784 sailed for Europe, to I'eturn to his home, having 
received complete immunity from his sovereign. Before leaving he revealed 
his real history to Irvine. Pennsylvania rewarded him in land for his valua- 
able services. Afterward, he held an office of honor under the emperor of 
Russia. He was born in 1753 and died in Rival June 26, 1829. 

■^ Dr. John Knight. He was born in Scotland in the year 1751. He sub- 
sequently, in England, gained some knowledge of medicine. He came to 
America in 1773. Migratingto the west, he enlisted in 1776, as a private in 
the thirteenth Virginia regiment, — afterward the ninth, but at date of the 
above letter, the seventh, of which John Gibson was colonel. Soon after en- 
listing, he was made sergeant, and was in the battles of Brandywine, Ger- 
mantown, and other engagements. On the ninth of August, 1778, he was 
appointed surgeon's mate of his regiment, which office he held at the time he 



lis Washiiigtoii-Irvlne Correspondence. 

These two are all I could venture to spare. Several were so- 
licitous for my going, but I did not think m_yself at liberty, 
consistent with the spirit of your excellency's instructions; 
nor are we in such a situation that I could take a single 
continental soldier along, particularly as the volunteers are 
all mounted. If their number exceeds three hundred, I am 
of opinion they may succeed, as their march will be so rapid 
they will probably in a great degree effect a surprise. 

I cannot find a man in this country who has a tolerable 
knowledge of the road to Niagara. There are numbers who 
are acquainted to the heads of Alleghany; thence, I think, 
the people of the state of New York are better acquainted 
than any this way. 

P. S. — The volunteers have sent requesting my instructions ^ 

was spared by Irvine to go upon the Sandusky expedition. He continued his 
duties as surgeon's mate until the close of the war. On the fourteenth of 
October, 1784, he married Polly Stephenson, daughter of Richard Stephenson, 
half brother of Colonel William Crawford. He subsequently moved to Shelby 
county, Kentucky, where he died on the twelfth of March, 1838, the father 
of ten children. 

* The "instructions " afterward sent by Irvine were as follow: 

"Fort Pitt, May 14, 1782. 

" To the officer who will be appointed to command a detachment of volun- 
teer militia, on an expedition against the Indian town at or near Sandusky. 

"Sir — When an officer is detached, though he may have general instruc- 
tions, yet much must depend on his own prudence. On such an expedition as 
the present, where a variety of unexpected events may take place, I think it 
would be vain to attempt being particular. In general, however, it is incum- 
bent on me to give such ideas as I think may be of use. 

"The object of your command is to destroy with fire and sword (if prac- 
ticable) the Indian town and settlements at Sandusky, by which we hope to 
give ease and safety to the inhabitants of this country ; but if impracticable, 
then you will doubtless perform such other services in your power as will, in 
their consequences, have a tendency to answer this great end. 

"Previous to taking up your line of march, it will be highly expedient that 
all matters respecting rank or command should be well determined and 
clearly understood, as far at least as first, second and third. This precaution, 
in case of accident or misfortune, may be of great importance. Indeed, I 
think whatever rank or grade may be fixed on to have commands, their rela- 
tive rank should be determined. And as it is indispensably necessary that 
subordination and discipline should be kept up, the whole ought to under- 
stand that, notwithstanding they are volunteers, yet by this tour they are to 
get credit for it in their tours of militia duty; and that for this and other 



Irvine to Washington. 119 

(which I will send) for the officer who may be appointed to 
command. The troops behave remarkably well since a few 
examples have been made.^ 

good reasons, they must, while out on this duty, consider themselves, to all 
intents, subject to the militia law and regulations for the government of the 
militia when in actual service. 

"Your best chance for success will be, if possible, to effect a surprise; and 
though this will be difficult, yet, by forced and rapid marches, it may, in a 
great degree, be accomplished. I am clearly of opinion that you should reg- 
ulate your last day's march so as to reach the town about dawn of day or a 
little before, and that the march of this day should be as long as can well be 
performed. 

"I need scarcely mention to so virtuous and disinterested a set of men as 
you will have the honor to command, that, though the main object at present 
is for the purposes above set forth, viz., the protection of this country, yet 
you are to consider yourselves as acting in behalf and for the interest of the 
United States. That, of course, it will be incumbent on you especially who 
will have the command, and on every individual, to act, in every instance, in 
such a manner as will reflect honor on, and add reputation to, the American 
arms — always having in view the law of arras, of nations, or independent 
states. 

" Should any prisoners, British, or in the service or pay of Britain or their 
allies, fall into your hands — if it should prove inconvenient for you to bring 
them off, you will, nevertheless, take special care to liberate them on parole, 
in such a manner as to insure liberty for an equal number of our people in 
their hands. There are individuals, however, who, I think should be brought 
off at all events, should the fortune of war throw them into your hands. I mean 
such as have deserted to the enemy since the declaration of independence. 

" On your return, whatever your success may be, you will please to make 
report to me. I very sincerely wish you success ; and am, dear sir, your 
obedient servant, W. Iuvine." 

The following extract from a letter written by Irvine to John Lyon more than 
seventeen years after these instructions were sent, is confirmatory of them: 

" Colonel Crawford was on the continental establishment of the Virginia 
line. The troops under his command, at the time he fell, were volunteer 
militia, part Virginians and part Pennsylvanians, and a few continental 
officers whom I sent to assist him. All the troops both regulars and militia in 
that quarter, were at that time under my orders. In looking over my in- 
structions to the officer who should be appointed to command that expedition — 
the volunteers were allowed to chose one, and they elected Colonel Craw- 
ford — I find he was enjoined to regulate rank of officers before he took up 
his line of march, and to impress on their minds that the whole must from 
the moment they marched be in all respects subject to the rules and articles 
of war for the regular troops." 

'Of the "few examples " referred to by Irvine, one was that of Thomas 
Steed of the seventh Virginia regiment, executed, it will be remembered, on 



120 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 



XIII. — Washington to Ikvine. 

Head Quarters, JSTewbukgii, 31ay 22, 1782. 

Sir: — I have been favored with jour two letters of the 20th 
of April and 2nd of May and am much obliged by your vig-i- 
lance and attention. 

An extract respecting the removing and supporting of the 
Indians, I have transmitted to the secretary at war, and de- 
sired him to take measures for the relief and comfort of those 
distressed wretches.^ 

the 3cl of May. He and the Indian, John Eells, were the only ones who had, 
up to the date of the above letter, suffered capitally (although a number had 
received "one hundred lashes well laid on") since Irvine's advent in the 
western department. Another, however, soon followed; — James Gordon be- 
ing executed on the 26th day of May, for repeated desertion and re-enlisting. 
He was tried by court martial on the 24tli of the month for the offenses just 
named, and found guilty of the first and third articles of the sixth -section of 
the articles of war and sentenced to death. The order approving the sen- 
tence read as follows : 

" Gordon, from his own confession, appears to have made a trade of enlist- 
ing and deserting. So great an offender has no right to expect pardon. Such 
daring perjury and such willful and premeditated determination, so often re- 
peated (to desert and re-enlist), are pi-oofs of the most hardened and aban- 
doned villainy. The general confirms the sentence." 

The warrant for his execution was in these words: 

"S/r; — James Gordon having repeatedly transgressed the laws of God 
and his country, and though he has long escaped justice, he has at length 
been caught, tried and sentenced to die, by a general court martial ; which 
sentence has been approved. You will, therefore, cause him to be taken 
from the place of his present confinement, to the usual place of execution, 
this day, immediately after troop beating, where he is to be shot to death; for 
60 doing, this shall be your warrant. 

•' Given under my hand at Fort Pitt, May 26th, 1782. 

" Wsi. Irvine, B. Gen'I. 
"To Capt. Benj. Biggs, officer of the day." 

The final order for his execution was as follows: 

"Morning orders. May 26, 1782. James Gordon, under sentence, is to be 
shot this morning at troop beating. A detachment properly armed and ac- 
coutred will attend the execution. All the troops will be mnrched by corps 
to the place without arms. Captain Biggs, as officer of the day, will see this 
order executed. The new guard will remain with their corps until after the 
execution." 

' For directions of the secretary at war concerning these Indians, see Ap- 
pendix B,— Lincoln to Irvine, May 30, 1782, 



Irvine to Washington. 121 

Any further particulars you can obtain of the route to 
Niagara and its practicability, you will please to forward to 
me as early as possible; the more minute and circumstantial, 
the better. 



XI Y. — Ikvink to Washington, 

Fort Pitt, June 16, 1782. 
Si7\' — In my letter of the 21st of May, I mentioned to your 
excellency that a body of volunteer militia was assembling at 
the Mingo Bottom to go against Sandusky. The inclosed let- 
ters, one from Colonel Williamson,^ second in command, and 
the other from Lieutenant Rose,^ my aid-de-camp, contain all 
the particulars of this transaction which have yet come to my 
knowledge, I am of opinion had they reached the place in 
seven days, instead of ten, which might have been done, es- 
pecially as they were chiefly mounted, they would have suc- 
ceeded. They should also have pushed the advantage evidently 
gained at the commencement of the action. They failed in 
another point which they had my advice and indeed positive 
orders for, namely, to make the last day's march as Ions; as pos- 
sible and attack the place in the night. But they halted in 
the evening within nine miles and tired their rifles at seven 
in the morning before they marched. These people now seem 
convinced that they cannot perform as much by themselves as 
they sometime since thought they could. Perhaps it is right 
that they should put more dependence on regular troops. I 
am sorry I have not more to afford them assistance.^ 

' See Williamson to Irvine, June 13, 1782, Appendix M. 

2 Rose to Irvine. June 13, 1782, Appendix M. 

^This letter differs somewhat from the copy retained by Irvine, which reads 
as follows: 

"Fort Pitt, June 16, 1782. 

''Sir: — In my letter of the 21st of May, I mentioned to your excellency 
that a body of volunteer militia were assembling at the Mingo Bottom to go 
aj-ainst Sandusky. The inclosed letters, one from Colonel Williamson, second 
in command, and the other from Lieutenant Rose, my aid-de-camp, contain 
all the particulars of this transaction which have yet come to my knowledge, 
I am of opinion the cause of their failure was owing to the slowness of the 



122 Washington-Irvine Corresjyondence. 

XY. — Irvine to Washington. 

FoKT Pitt, JuUj 1, 1782. 

Sir: — Your excellency's letter of the 22d May did not 

come to hand till yesterday. The 17th of Jnne I sent one 

active, intelligent white man with an Indian to explore the 

country towards JS^iagara. I shall take the earliest oppor- 

march, and not pushing the advantage they had evident! j' gained at their first 
commencing the action. They were ten days on the march, when it might 
have been performed in seven, particidarly as they were chiefly mounted; my 
advice was to attack the /o^ru <» i/ie » ((7 //i, but instead thereof they halted 
within ten miles in the evening and did not take up their line of march till 
seven in the morning. These people now seem convinced that they cannot per- 
form as much by themselves as they sometime since thought they could; per- 
haps it is right that they should put more dependence on regular troops. I 
am sorry I have not more to afford them assistance." [Immediately follow- 
ing the word "knowledge," in this copy, are the following words, which have 
a line drawn over them: "Dr. Knight, mentioned in Mr. Rose's letter, is one 
of the regimental surgeons of this garrison, whom I spared to Colonel Craw- 
ford and is also missing."] 

Of the volunteers who went upon the expedition against Sandusky, about 
two-thirds were from Washington county; the residue, except a few from 
Ohio county, Virginia, were from Westmoreland. The final rendezvous was 
at the Mingo bottom on the west side of the Ohio river, where, on the twenty- 
fourth day of May, four hundred and eighty, finally, congregated. They 
distributed themselves into eighteen companies. The general officers elected 
were: For colonel-commandant, Colonel Wm. Crawford; for four field 
majors (to rank in the order named), David Williamson, Thomas Gaddis, 
John McClelland, and James Brenton ; for brigade major, Daniel Leet. Dr. 
.Tohn Knight went as surgeon; John Rose, as aid. The guides were Thomas 
Nicholson, John Slover and Jonathan Zane. 

The volunteers began their march the next day for Sandusky. All were 
mounted. On the fourth of June, the enemy were encountered a short distance 
north of what is now Upper Sandusky, Ohio. They numbered some- 
thing over three hundred, consisting of about two hundred savages — Wyan- 
dots, Delawares, Mingoes, and " Lake Indians " — and a company of rangers 
from Detroit, under command of Captain William Caldwell. A battle en- 
sued, with the advantage on the side of the Americans. The loss of the enemy 
was five kil'ed — four Indians and a ranger — and eleven wounded, includ- 
ing Capt. Caldwell; the American loss was five killed and nineteen wounded. 
The next day (June 5fch) the enemy were re-enforced by not loss than 
one hundred and forty Shawanose and by a small detachment of rangers. 
Crawford called a council of war and it was decided to retreat. 

The return marcli began soon after dark of the same day, but was attended 



Irvine to Washington. 123 

tniiitj after their return of communicating their observations 
to jour excellency, if they appear useful. The inclosed copy 
of a letter to General Lincoln ^ will inform your excellency of 
the wishes of the inhabitants of this country, and also of my 
mode of treating their applications.^ I hope that, as well as 

with considerable confusion. The main portion of the retreating- army was 
joined the next morning by some straggling parties, so that the whole num- 
bered about three hundred; and the retreat was continued. Quite a number 
were missing; among them were Col. Crawford, Dr. Knight, Major McClel- 
land and John Slover. In the afternoon (June Cth), the volunteers were over- 
taken by a force of the enemy, in what is now Crawford county, Ohio, and a 
warm engagement ensued; but the pursurers were driven off, with a loss to 
the Americans of three killed and eight wounded. The expedition finally 
reached the Mingo bottom on their return ; and re-crossed the Ohio on the 
thirteenth of June, having with them a number of their wounded. The next 
day the army disbanded. The entire loss was about fifty men. Of those 
takenby the enemy, only two escaped — Dr. Knight and John Slover. A 
number of the captured were tomahawked; but Colonel Crawford, his son-in- 
law (Wm. Harrison), and a few others (all of whom had been made prison- 
ers), were tortured at the stake. The first named perished miserably, amidst 
the most terrible sufi'eiing, on the eleventh of June, in what is now Wyandot 
county, Ohio. (For an extended narrative of this campaign, see "An His- 
torical Account of the Expedition against Sandusky, under Col. William 
Crawford, in 1782; With Biographical Sketches, Personal Reminiscences, and 
Descriptions of Interesting Localities; Including, also, Details of the Disas- 
trous Retreat, the Barbarities of the Savages, and the Awful Death of Craw- 
ford by Torture.") 

' See Irvine to Lincoln, 1 July, 1782, Appendix B. 

^ The following account describes the incipient steps taken for another ex- 
pedition against Sandusky: — 

" Whereas bur friends and countrymen [under Col. Wm. Crawfordl hath 
unfortunately miscarried on a late expedition against the Indians [at San- 
dusky], which was intended for the good of our country in general, — we con- 
ceive we should be lost to our entire and common interest as well as the 
memory of our fellow citizens if we did not use our utmost exertion to retali- 
ate and convince our enemies that that brave handful of men has not fallen 
unregarded. 

" To carry this expedition with apparent success, we propose acting under 
General Irvine upon it; and as the continental troops under his command 
cannot be supplied with the necessary quantity of provisions through the 
usual channels, we do hereby pledge our faith and honor to furnish the pro- 
vision and the necessary horses for its transportation — annexed to our names 
respectively, for such regular officers and soldiers as General Irvine may com- 
mand on said expedition, exclusive of the necessary quantity for our own sub- 
sistence; and do acknowledge to be bound by the same ties" to render any 



I'Bli, ^]^asJiington-Irvi7ie Correspondence. 

this way of communication, will meet yonr excellency's ap- 
probation. I would not presume to go on any account with- 
out your excellency's express orders, or at least permission, 
did I not conceive that before the day appointed for rendez- 
vousing, I will receive information if any movements are in- 
tended this way, this cam])aign, as, by that time, it will be full 
late enough to undertake anything more than on a small par- 
tisan way. By the best accounts I can obtain, we may lay 
out our accounts to have to light the Shawanese, Delawares, 
Wyandots, Mingoes and JVIonseys; in all, about live hundred. 
They are all settled in a line from lower Sandusky near Lake 
Erie, to the heads of the Miami, not more than seventy miles 
from the two extremes. Upper Sandusky lies near the center. 
If all these could be beat at once, it would certainly nearly, 
if not entirely, put an end to the Indian war in this quarter. 
Should this be tlie case, it would be much best that some con- 
tinental troops should be convened for a variety of reasons, 
which I need not trouble your excellency with an explanation 
of at present; which are inducements for me to think of going 
with so few regulars. In a few weeks, I hope to have the fort 
in a tolerable state of defense against small arms, so that 
there will be less risk in being absent a few wrecks with some 
of the best of the troops than heretofore.^ 

personal service, or furnish a man to do the same without fee or reward ex- 
cept government at their own convenient time think proper to reimburse us. 

" Given under our hands at Stewart's Crossings [now New Haven, Fayette 
county, Pennsylvania], this 22d day of June, 1782. • 

" [Under the head of personal service there is then put down forty-one men; 
under rations of flour, thirty-one hundred and eighty; under rations of meat, 
fifteen hundred and five; horses, ten.] This subscription is made from two 
companies only. There is reason to believe there will be more subscribed 
fi'om them. 

" ROBEKT BeALL, 

" Thomas Moohe, 

" Captains of Militia." 
[See Appendix K,— Irvine to Cook, June 26, 1782.] 

' De Peyster, commanding at Detroit, early received intelligence of the 
contemplated movement of General Irvine and informed General Haldimand, 
his superior, of the fact. The latter, in a letter to Sir Guy Carleton, on the 
?8thof July, said: — 

" A letter from Major De Peyster saj^s that General Irvine is to take the 



Washington to Irvine. 125 



XYI. — "Washington to Ikvine. 

Headquarters, J^ewburgh, July 10, 1782. 
Sir: — 1 have been favored with your letter of the 16th of 
June, apprising me of the disaster that befell the militia 
at Sandusky. I am persuaded you did everything in your 
power to insure them success. I cannot but regret the mis- 
fortune, and more especially for the loss of Colonel Crawford, 
for whom I had a very great regard.^ 

route of Tuscarawas ; a party of militia, the Shawanese country ; and Colo- 
nel Clark, the Wabash, with artillery. That this expedition, though given 
out as intended against the Indian villages, he is informed is, in reality, a 
concerted plan against Detroit, which Mr. Irvine brought with him from con- 
gress. In consequence of this intelligence, I have re-enforced the upper 
country with about two hundred men." 

' Washington and Crawford were intimate friends. The latter was cap- 
tured by the Delaware Indians, upon the Sandusky expedition, and suffered, 
as already explained, a horrible death by torture. When Irvine wrote his 
letter to Washington, of the 16th of June, to which the above was an an- 
swer, he had not learned the terrible details; all that he knew was that Craw- 
ford was missing ; and this he learned from the two letters which he inclosed. 
By referring to his letter of the 16th of June (ante, p. 121), it will be seen, 
that he does not mention the subject himself. 

The following certificate wi-itten by Irvine while major general of Pennsyl- 
vania militia is not only confirmatory of the fact of his having aided and 
abetted the expedition against Sandusky, but of the good conduct of 
Major Rose and Colonel Crawford; also, of the "particular esteem and high 
regard " in which the last mentioned was held by Washington: 

" I certify that Colonel William Crawford, of the Vh-ginia line of continen- 
tal troops, was elected by a body of volunteers, partly of Virginia and partly 
of Pennsylvania, in the year 1782, during the time I commanded at Fort Pitt 
and country around, to the supreme command of said volunteers who meant 
to march into the Indian country, to attack several of their towns (of this 
election I was informed by the county lieutenants, both of Virginia and Penn- 
sylvania, west of the Alleghany mountains, not only by verbal communication 
of some of them, but by written report of allot them), in which they requested 
my approbation and aid. I accordingly furnished the party with some 
ammunition and sent written instructions to the commandant (ante, p. 118, 
note 1); and I also sent two continental officers to assist Col. Craw- 
ford: Major Rose, my own aid-de-camp, and Doctor Knight, surgeon of one 
of the regiments under my command. (Ante, p. 117.) After the de- 
feat, the second in command [Col. David Williamsonl then informed me that 
it was owing, in a great degree, to the bravery and gO')d conduct of Major 



lliG WasJiington-Irvine Correspondence. 



XVII. — Irvine to Washington. 

Fort Pitt, July 11, 1782. 

Sir: — Dr. Knight, a surgeon I sent witli Colonel Craw- 
ford, returned the 4tli instant to this place.^ He brings an 
account of the melancholy fate of poor Crawford. The day 
after the main body retreated, the colonel, doctor, and nine 
others, were overtaken, about thirty miles from the field of 
action, by a body of Indians, to whom they surrendered. They 
were taken back to Sandusky, where they all, except the doc- 
tor, were put to death. The unfortunate colonel, in particular, 
was burned and tortured in every manner they could invent. 

The doctor, after being a spectator of this distressing scene 
was sent, under guard of one Indian, to the Shawanese town, 
where he was told he would share the same fate the next day; 
but fortunately found an opportunity of demolishing the 
fellow, and making his escape.^ The doctor adds, that a cer- 
tain Simon Girty, who was formerly in our service, and 
deserted with McKee, and is now said to have a commission in 
the British service, was present at torturing Colonel Craw- 

Eose that the retreat was so well effected. I mention these circumstances in 
order to refute a report that the colonel undertook this expedition witliout my 
consent, and in other respects disobeyed my orders. 

" I also certify that no officer of the party ever reported to me any miscon- 
duct of the colonel's, and that I never reported any to my superiors against 
him; so far from it, that I find in my correspondence with the commander-in- 
chief (General Washington) that he lamented the misfortune of Col. Craw- 
ford's death extremely, as he was an officer for whom he had a particular 
esteem and high regard. William Iuvine, Major (TCneral." 

' " I saw Knight on his being brought into the garrison at Pittsburgh; he 
was weak and scarcely able to articulate. When he began to be able to speak 
a little, his Scottish dialect was much broader than it had been when T knew 
him before. This I remarked as usual with persons in a fever, or sick; they 
return to the vernacular tongue of their early years. It was three weeks be- 
fore he was able to give anything like a continued account of his sufferings. — 
H. H, Brackenridge, in Loudon's Indian Wars, Vol. I, pp. VIII, IX. 

^ Owing to the peculiar wording of this sentence, it might be inferred that 
Knight escaped after his arrival at the Shawanese villages; but such was not 
the fact. He was told at the place where Crawford was burned that he would 
suffer the same fate; and he made his escape on his way to the towns where 
he was to be tortured. 



Irvine to Washington. 127 

ford,^ and that he, the doctor, was informed by an Indian, that 
a British captain commands at Sandusky; that he believes he 
was present, also, but is not certain; but says he saw a person 
there who was dressed and who appeared like a British offi- 
cer.^ He also says the colonel begged of Girty to shoot him 
[Crawford], but he paid no regard to the request. 

A certain [John] Slover has also come in yesterday, who was 
under sentence at the Shawanese town. He saj-s a Mr. Will- 
iam Harrison, son-in-law to Colonel Crawford, was quartered 
and burned. Both he and the doctor say tliey were assured, 
by sundry Indians they formerly knew, that not a single soul 
should in future escape torture; and gave, as a reason for this 
conduct, the Moravian affair. A number of people inform me, 
that Colonel Crawford ought to be considered as a continental 
officer, and are of opinion retaliation should take place. These, 
however, are such facts as I have been able to get. Dr. Knight 
is a man of undoubted veracity.^ 

' Simon Givty was born on an island in the Susquehanna river in the then 
province of Pennsylvania, and when a boy was captured by the savages, and 
adopted by the Seneca tribe of Indians. He afterward returned to the settle- 
ments, locating at Pittsburgh. He fled to the enemy across the Ohio, along 
with Alexander McKee and others, in the spring of 1778. (See Introduction, 
p. 17.) Arriving at Detroit, he was engaged in the Indian department and 
sent back into the Ohio wilderness with his headquarters among the Wyan- 
dots, upon the Sandusky river. He immediately entered upon a career of 
savage ferocity against the border settlements of Pennsylvania, Virginia and 
Kentucky. He was in the battle of the 4th of June, 1782, between the vol- 
unteers under Crawford and the enemy, taking part with the latter, and was 
present, as above stated, at the torturing of the unfortunate colonel. He had 
no commission in the British service. He and Crawford were well acquainted. 

"^ The person dressed like a British officer and referred to as having been seen 
by Knight at the torture, was Captain Matthew Elliott, a renegade royalist, 
who, as previously mentioned, escaped to the enemy along with Alex. McKee 
and Simon Girty, from the vicinity of Pittsburgh, in 1778. Knight had not 
made his acquaintance at the latter place. Elliott, however, did not have 
command at Sandusky; it was Captain William Caldwell. The latter was not 
present at the burning of Colonel Crawford. Elliott belonged to the British 
Indian department. (See Appendix M,— Rose to Irvine, June 18, 1782, 
note.) 

^ John Slover was, as already noticed, one of the guides to the expedition 
against Sandusky. He was captured by the savages, but succeded in making 
his escape. His narrative was soon published, along with that of Dr. 



1'28 Wasldncjton-lrvine Correspondence. 

This account has struck the people of this country with a 
strange mixture of fear and resentment. Their solicitations 
for making another excursion are increasing daily, and they 
are actually beginning to prepai-e for it. 

Knight's. Both are to be found in a pamphlet entitled, " Narrative of a 
late Expedition ag^ainst the Indians; with an Account of the Barbarous Execu- 
tion of Col. Crawford; and the Wonderful Escape of Dr. Kuight and John 
Slover, from Captivity, in 1782. Philadelphia: Printed by Francis Bailey, iu 
Market street. M,DCC,LXXI1I." An X, in the date, is accidentally omitted. 
Copies of the original edition of this work are exceedingly rare. Subsequent 
but imperfect editions have been published from time to time. A small one 
was prmted in Nashville, in 1843, and there is a Cincinnati reprint of this, in 
1867. The narratives have also been printed, with more or less variations 
from the original, in several border histories. 

In the original pamphlet is the following address by the publisher — Fran- 
cis Bailey, printer of the Freeman's Journal, in Philadelphia: 

"To the Public: The two following narratives [Knight's and Slover's] 
were transmitted for publication, in September last [1782]; but shortly after- 
wai"d the letters from Sir Guy Carlton, to his excellency. General Washington, 
informing that the savages had received orders to desist from their incursions, 
gave reason to hope that there would be an end to their barbarities. For this 
reason, it was not thought necessary to hold up to view what they bad here- 
tofore done. But as they still continue their murders on our frontier, these 
nan-atives may be serviceable to induce our government to take some effectual 
steps to chastise and suppress them; as from hence, they will see that the 
nature of an Indian is fierce and cruel, and that an extirparation of them would 
be useful to the world, and honorable to those who can effect it." 

Immediately following the address is this letter : 

"Mr. Bailey: Enclosed are two narratives, one of Dr. Knight, who 
acted as surgeon in the expedition under Col. Crawford, the other of John 
Slover. That of Dr. Knight was written by himself at my request; that of 
Slover was taken by myself from his mouth as he related it. This man, from 
his childhood, lived amongst the Indians; though perfectly sensible and intel- 
ligent, yet he can not write. The character of Dr. Knight is well known to 
be that of a good man, of strict veracity, of a calm and deliberate mind, and 
using no exaggeration in his account of any matter. As a testimony in favor 
of the veracity of Slover, I thought proper to procure a certificate from the 
clergyman to whose church he belongs, and which I give below. 

"These narratives you will please publish in your useful paper or in any 
other way you may judge proper. I conceive the publication of them may 
answer a good end, in showing America what have been the sufferings of 
some of her citizens by the hands of the Indian allies of Britain. To these 
narratives, I have subjoined some observations which you may publish or omit, 
as it may be convenient. 

" H. H. Brackenridge. 

" Pittsburgh, Aug. 3, 1782. 



Washington to Irvine. IW 



XYIII. — "Washington to Irvine. 

Head Quarters, August 6, 1782. 
Sir: — I have to acknowledge the receipt of your two let- 
ters of the 1st and 11th of July; the former containing the 
plan of a proposed expedition, on which you mention you are 

"(Certificate of the CJergyman.) 

" ' I do hereby certify that John Slover lias been for many years a regular 
member of the church under my care, and is worthy of the highest credit. 

" ' William Reno.' 
"(An Episcopalian.)" 

Brackenridge, to whom the world is indebted for the narratives of Knight 
and Slover, was an eminent lawyer and author of Pittsburgh, from 1781 un- 
til his death in 1816. The last fifteen years of his life, he was one of the 
judges of the supreme court of Pennsylvania. He was noted for his talents, 
learning, and eccentricity. He was the author of " Modem Chivalry," " In- 
cidents of the Whisky Insurrection," and other works. The "obser- 
vations " he speaks of, in his letter to Mr. Bailey, were printed by the latter, 
with the narratives of Knight and Slover. They are, as the writer quaintly 
calls them, " observations with regard to the animals, vulgarly styled Indi- 
ans," They contain, however, nothing in relation to the expedition against 
Sandusky. 

The narrative of Knight, up to the commencement of the retreat of the 
army, contains little that is not suppliable from other sources; after that 
event, however, his account of what he saw and suffered, is exceedingly val- 
uable and complete. He throws no light, of course, upon the retreat of the 
array; neither does Slover. The narrative of the latter is not as well con- 
nected as that of the former; yet, of the general truthfulness of his story, 
there can be no question. Both narratives, it will be noticed, were written 
immediately after the return of these men fi'om captivity. There was no 
printing done in Pittsburgh until the establishment and issuing of the Pitts- 
burgh Gazette, in July, 1786; hence, the publication of the pamphlet in 
Philadelphia. 

All the statements have been examined that could be found, made by Knight 
and Slover after their return, not contained in their printed narratives. Most 
of these are either in manuscript or in the Philadelphia newspapers of 1782, 
furnished by western correspondents. From these sources a few additional 
facts can be obtained, all corroborative, however, of their original statements. 
Subsequent relations of deserters and of the savages themsleves fully sub- 
stantiate their authenticity and correctness. "After a treaty or temporary 
peace had taken place, I saw traders who had been with the Indians at San- 
dusky and had the same account from the Indians themselves which Knight 
gave of his escape." — Brackenridge, in Loudon's Indian Wars, Vol. I, 
pp. VIII, IX. 
9 



130 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

solicited to take the command, and covering a copy of yonr 
letter to the secretary at war ^ on that proposition, I have not 
given you my ideas on this expedition, as the plan, if adopted, 
must have began its execution before my letter would have 
reached you. If attempted, I can only give you my good 
wishes for its success.^ 

'See Irvine to Lincoln, July 1, 1782, Appendix B. 

'■^ Irvine, in anticipation of being absent from Fort Pitt upon this expedi- 
tion, wrote out the following instructions: 

I. — Irvine to Lieutenant Colonel Wuibert. 

" Fort Pitt, September 13, 1782. 

^^ Sir: — During the time of the excursion I am about to make with part of 
the troops comprising this garrison and some militia, you will please care- 
fully to examine what further repairs may be indispensably necessary to make 
. on this post; in doing of which, you will calculate with as much accuracy as pos- 
sible, the quality and quantity of materials and number of artificers and labor- 
ers required to complete the work. When this is done, you will please to 
reconnoiter the ground in the vicinity of the post and determine (in your judg- 
ment) the places an enemy will be most likely to approach by. But, in a 
particular manner, I wish you also to reconnoiter an eminence on the north- 
west side of the Alleghany, immediately opposite the fort, and fix on the 
most advantageous spot for erecting either an inclosed redoubt or block house. 
Of all which, I beg you will have plans made, and estimates also of labor, at 
my return. As to having any actual work performed, 1 do not expect it; the 
troops will be so few, they cannot perform any and do the necessary military 
duty. Major Craig will command all the troops; and I make no doubt from 
the good understanding I know you to be on with this gentleman, but your 
time will pass agreeably. 

" I am, sir, your obedient, humble servant, 

" Wm. Irvine. 
II. — Irvine to Major Isaac Craig. 

" Fort Pitt, September, 178?. 

*' Sir: — In my absence (on the intended excursion) the command of this 
post will devolve on you. Your knowledge of every circumstance relative 
to the defence of it, and the resources you have to depend on, together with 
the entire confidence I repose in your prudence, render it unnecessary to 
trouble you with prolix instructions. 

" The advanced season and the precautions I have recently taken (by send- 
ing parties up the Alleghany) nearly convince me that you will have little to 
fear from that quarter; notwithstanding, you must not depend on probabilities, 
but guard agamst possibilities. To the westward, we shall doubtless draw all 
.the enemy's attention. 

"You. are already informed how I intend the militia from Virginia and 
Pennsylvania are to be employed, unless this post should appear in danger; in 



Washington to Irvine. 131 

I lament the failure of the former expedition, and am par- 
ticularly affectJfed with the disastrous fate of Colonel Craw- 
ford.^ No other than the extremest tortures that could be 

that case, you will doubtless draw in as many of them as you may judge nec- 
essary, n matters remain quiet as late as the 15th of October, the militia 
from the lower country may be discharged ; as their services after that time, 
I think, will be an unnecessary fatigue on them, and expense to thfi public. 

"In case, however, of an actual investiture of the post, or that circum- 
stances threaten, you will apply to the lieutenants of Westmoreland and 
Washington counties, whom I will direct before my departure to order men to 
your relief on your requisition. I am persuaded j'ou have not, under these several 
circumstances, much to fear, except a surprise; and if the enemy have infor- 
mation of our movements, an enterprising partisan may possibly think it a 
favorable opportunity, as he may suppose you will be off your guard, depend- 
ing too much on the effects of our expedition. 

" You are well acquainted with the state of the magazine and all the stores, 
as well as the difficulty and expense attending supplying the post; and you 
are also too well acquainted with the state of the public finances to make it 
necessary for me to say much on the score of economy; you know it ought to 
be extreme. As to the ordinary police or standing orders at the post, you 
will doubtless adhere to them, except in cases where circumstances may ren- 
der it indispensably necessaiy to vary or deviate from. 

" Private. — I am afraid there are such men in this country who are not too 
good (in order to favor a scheme of a new state) to devise plans to get posses- 
sion of this post and particularly the stores. You will, therefore, scrupulously 
guard against their devices — some of which may probably be false alarms 
to induce you to call in militia, or rather volunteers, whom you may have dif- 
ficulty to get out. 

" I am, dear sir, with much regard, your obedient, humble servant, 

"Wm. Irvine." 

' In a letter addressed by Washington to President William Moore, of Penn- 
Bylvania, dated July 27, 1782, is this reference to Crawford: " It is with the 
greatest sorrow and concern that I have learned the melancholy tidings of 
Col. Crawford's death. He was known to me as an officer of much care and 
prudence, brave, experienced and active. The manner of his death as given 
in letters of Gen. Irvine, Col. Gibson, and others, was shocking to me; and I 
have this day communicated to the honorable, the congress, copies of such 
papers as I have regarding it." 

Col. Crawford, before starting upon the Sandusky expedition, made his 
will, as follows: 

" In the name of God, amen. I, William Crawford, of the county of 
Westmoreland, and state of Pennsylvania, being in perfect health of body 
and sound memory, do make, ordain and constitute this my last will and tes- 
tament, in manner and form following, that is to say: I give and bequeath 
unto my much beloved wife, Hannah Crawford, all that tract of land whereon 



132 WasJi'tngton-lrvine Correspondence. 

inflicted by savages, I think, could liave been expected by those 
who were unhappy enough to fall into their hands; especially 
under the present exasperation of their ininds, for the treat- 
ment given their Moravian friends. For this reason, no per- 
sons, I think, should, at this time, subn^it themselves to fall 
alive into the hands of the Indians. 

I now live, situate, lying and being on the river Youghiogheny, in the county 
and state aforesaid, during her natural life. I do also give and bequeath unto 
my said wife one negro man named Dick, and one mulatto man Daniel; also 
all my household furniture and stock of every kind and nature whatsoever, 
for and during her natural life, and after the decease of my said wife, the 
above mentioned negroes, Dick and Daniel, to descend to my loving son, John 
Crawford, and after his decease, to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten. 

" I give and bequeath unto my loving son, John Crawford, and his heirs 
lawfully begotten, five hundred acres of land to be laid off out of lands located 
down the river Ohio by me, to be laid off by my executors, reserving to my 
son the choice of said lands, and also the tract of land whereon I now live at 
Stewart's Crossings, at the decease of my said wife, Hannah, and at the decease 
of said son, John Crawford, to descend to his son, William Crawford, and his 
heirs forever; but if he die without heirs, tlien and in that case to descend to 
his next oldest brother. And I do give and bequeath unto Moses Crawford, 
son of the above said John Crawford, and to his heirs forever, four hundred 
acres of land, to be laid off out of my lands located down the river Ohio as be- 
fore mentioned. 

"I do give and bequeath unto Richard Crawford, son of the above said 
John Crawford, and to his heirs forever, four hundred acres of land, out of, 
and to be laid off as above mentioned. I do give and bequeath unto Anne 
McCormick, daughter of William and Effe McCormick, four hundred acres of 
land, to be laid off as above mentioned. Also I do give and bequeath unto 
Anne Council, all that tract of land whereon she now lives, lying and being 
on the north side of Youghiogheny river, about two miles from said river and 
on Braddock's old road, together with all the stock of every kind whatsoever, 
and all the household furniture and farming utensils now in her possession, 
for and durmg her natural life; and after the said Anne Connell's decease, my 
will is and I do hereby ordain that the said land, goods and chattels of every 
kind whatsoever be sold by my executors and the money arising therefrom be 
equally divided amongst her four children, to-wit: William, James, Nancy 
and Polly ; but nevertheless, in case the said Anne Council should think it more 
proper that the two boys, or either of them, the said William or James, 
should keep the said land, etc., that then and in that case the said lands, goods 
and chattels of every kind be appi-aised, and one equal fourth of the said ap- 
praisements be paid to the other children as they may arrive at the age by 
law affixed, or the survivor of them. 

" Also, I do give and bequeath unto William Connell, son of the said Anne 



Irvine to Washington. 133 



XIX. — Ikyine to Washington. 

Fort Pitt, Octoher 29, 1782. 
Sir: — I would have marched the ^Oth of September into 
the Indian country with about eight lumdred militia and a 
small detachment from this post, had I not received letters on 
the eigh-teenth [inst.] from the secretary at war ^ and council 
of Pennsylvania:^ — the first informing me that General Ila- 
zen's regiment^ was ordered up, and the latter promising men 
and money to carry the business with effect. As the militia 

Connell, and his heirs forever, five hundred acres of land located by me down 
the Ohio river, there being a warrant for that quantity in his name from the 
land office, '\''irginia. I also give and bequeath unto James Connell, son of 
the said Anne Connell, and his heirs forever, five hundred acres of land down 
the river Ohio, there being a warrant for that quantity in his name, which was 
also located by me as above mentioned, as soon as they arrive at full age. 
Also, I do give and bequeath unto Nancy and Polly, daughters of said Anne 
Connell, six hundred acres of land located by me down the river Ohio, to be 
equally divided between them by my executors. 

"And my will is that after my accounts are adjusted and settled and all 
my just debts and legacies and beq^ueaths paid, that all and singular my estate, 
real and personal, of every kind whatsoever (except a mulatto boy named Mar- 
tin, which I give to my son John Crawford, and a mulatto girl named Betty, 
which is to continue with my wife Hannah), be equally divided between my 
three beloved children, viz.: John Crawford, Effe McCorm'ck and Sarah 
Harrison, and their heirs forever. And I do will, constitute, and appoint my 
much beloved wife, Hannah Crawford, my loving brother, John Stephenson, 
and William Harrison, executrix and executors of this my last will and tes- 
tament, ratifying and confirming this to be my last will and testament. 

" In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and aflix my seal this 

sixteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred 

and eighty- two. 

"W. Crawford. [seal.] 

" Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said William 
Crawford as his last will and testament in presence of us: Thomas Gist, 
John Euler, Mary Wright, Nancy McKee." 

' Lincoln to Irvine, September 7, 1782, Appendix B. 

''The letter here spoken of as from the "council of Pennsylvania," was 
written by Gov. Moore, of that state, September 4, 1782. See Appendix G. 

^ The continental regiment of Brigadier-General Moses Hazen, which had 
previously been guarding prisoners in Pennsylvania. For a history of this 
regiment, see Hist. Mag., Feb., 1872, p. 92; also, Penn. Arch., second series, 
vol. XI, p. 99. 



13]/, Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

bad orders to march previous to this, I countermanded them 
and be^an to prepare for acting on a larger scale, — directing 
the militia to assemble again at the time proposed to me for 
moving from this place, namely: the 8th of October. From 
that date till the 23cl, I was in a state of the greatest suspense 
and uncertainty, as the troops did not arrive nor was there any 
reason assigned why they did not. 

The letters, it seems, for directing the expedition to be laid 
aside ^ were trusted to some persons traveling on their private 
business; and 1 should not have got them to this day, had I 
not sent officers on the different roads to gain intelligence of 
the march and hasten Hazen's regiment.^ One of these picked 
up the letters. So much having been said and so many at- 
tempts made, I confess I should have been pleased to put the 
matter to trial; as I believe we should have been able to chas- 
tise the savages severely; no number of Indians whatever, in 
my opinion, can light a thousand men under proper discipline 
or regulation. Plowever, I presume it must be best laid aside, 
doubtless for good reasons. Indeed, I never could see any 
great advantages gained by excursions of this kind; at least, 
they have not been lasting: nothing short of destroying the 
British posts from which they receive the means to carry on 

^ See Lincoln to Irvine, September 27, 1782, Appendix B, for one of these. 
^ With one of the officers he sent the following: 

"FoKT Pitt, September 30, 1782. 

" Sir: — I am instructed by the secretary at war that part of General Hazen's 
regiment is ordered to this post. The time being now nearly elapsed within 
which he intended they should arrive, I begin to be anxious to know how far 
you are advanced; and as it is also necessary I should know what provision, 
if any, horses and stores of every kind you have under your convoy, I have 
sent Captain [Samuell Brady to meet you and make these and other inquiries, 
to whom you are to communicate all matters respecting your corps or convoy 
necessary for the commanding officer here to know. 

"He has my orders to return immediately on meeting you. As much, very 
much, will depend on your speed, I make no doubt you will make forced 
marches. He will also inform you of the necessity hereof, and can give you 
the best information of. the route you should come, being well acquainted 
with the country. I am, sir, your obedient, humble servant, 

"Wm. Irvine, B. Gon'l. 

" To the officer commanding a detachment of General Hazeu's regiment, 
on the march to Fort Pitt." 



Irvine to Washington. 135 

war, or establishing posts in their country, will effectually 
answer the end. I am very anxious about General Clark. If 
ray last messenger to hiin arrived safe, he will have reason to 
think I am now in the Indian country; and it was not possi- 
ble for me to inform him of my countermand in time. I 
have, however, used every precaution and strategem in my 
power to draw the attention of the Delawares and Wyandots 
this way, to prevent their aiding the Shawanese, whom he de- 
termined to attack at the same time I did the others. I have 
some hope he will have the former alone to deal with, if he 
should proceed.^ I fear the Indians will not be restrained by 
the British. They have killed so late as the 6th inst. in this 
neighborhood, but this may have been done by some small 
part}', who were out before orders reached them.~ 

' 'The Delawares and Wyandots were, at this date, principally upon the 

Sandusky river directly on the line between Fort Pitt and Detroit, and their 

territory would have been the objective point of Irvine had he proceeded with 

the expedition as had been contemplated. South of these, principally upon 

the upper waters of the Great Miami, and at no very great distance, were 

seated the Shawanese. The plan was well laid between the two American 

commanders to strike all three of these tribes at the same time: Irvine, from 

the east, would engage the Wyandots and Delawares; Clark, from the south 

(Kentucky), would attack the Shawanese. The last part of the programme 

was carried out. 

^ " As to the savages, I have the best of assurance that from a certain period 

not very long after my arrival here, no parties of Indians were sent out, and 

that messengers were dispatched to recall those who had gone forth before 

that time." — Sir Guy Carleton to Washington, from New York, September 

12, 1782. 

"Detroit, 2% Sept., 1782. 

". . . .1 have a very difficult card to play at this post and its depend- 
encies. . . . It is evident that the back settlers will continue to make 
war upon the Shawanese, Delawares and Wyandots, even after a truce shall 
be agreed to between Great Britain and her revolted colonies; in which case, 
whilst we continue to support the Indians with troops (which they are calling 
loud for) or only with arms, ammunition and necessaries, we shall incur the 
odium of encouraging incursions into the back settlements; for it is evident 
that when the Indians are on foot, occasioned by the constant alarms they 
receive from the enemy's entering their country, they will occasionally enter 
the settlements and bring oif prisoners and scalps; so that whilst in alliance 
with a people we are bound to support, a defensive war will, in spite of human 
prudence, almost always terminate in an ofiensive one." — Col. A. S. De 
Peyster to Gen. Haldimand. 



136 Washington-Irvine Corresjjondence. 

If a peace with the Britisli should not take place, I ain 
almost certain there will be no rest here while they ])osses3 
Canada; and I think they will attempt gaining possession as 
far as the Ohio, agreeable to their Quebec bilV it' we cannot 
wrest the lower part of Canada from them. It is probable 
they will send troops up the lake^ next spring in order to do 
this. If they do, they will meet little obstruction as far as 
the Alleghanj^,^ unless measures are adopted to counteract 

[Extract from the Penn. Packet, 1 Oct., 1782 (No." 944).] 

" PiiiLADELPHi.v, October 1, 1782. 

" A gentleman is arrived in town who left Fort Pitt on Wednesday, the ISth 
ult. He informs, that altho' the Indians have been much more quiet lately 
than some time before, yet an attack from them was expected at Fort Weeling 
[Wheeling], on the Ohio, some distance southeast of Fort Pitt." 

' The object of the Quebec bill, which passed the parliament of Great 
Britain during the crisis immediately preceding active hostilities of the revo- 
lution, was to prevent Canada — that is, the province of Quebec — from 
joining with the other colonies. The bill not only regulated the affairs of 
that province, but extended its boundaries to the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, 
over the region which included, besides Canada, the area of the present states 
of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin, in utter disregard of the 
charters and rights of Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and Virginia. 

^ Irvine's meaning is, " up Lake Erie." 

^Irvine here has reference to the Alleghany river, which stream unites with 
the Monongahela at Pittsburgh to form the Ohio. 

" It is much to be desired that a uniform orthography of this name should be 
adopted. In New York, it is commonly written AUerjcinn; in Pennsylvania, 
Allegheny; and in Virginia and the Southern States, Allerjhciui/. As nearly 
all the works on general geography, even those published in New York and 
Pennsylvania, spell the name Alleghany, the citizens of those states might, 
it is believed, without any unmanly concession, or without the slightest aban- 
donment of what is due to the dignity of sovereign states, conform in this 
respect to the usage of the majority. The impropriety, not to say absurditj% 
of this discrepancy in the spelling, will be seen by referring to a representa- 
tion of New York and Pennsylvania on the same map. We shall there find 
one and the same river named Alleohenij near its source; while farther down, 
for the distance of some 40 or 50 miles, it is Alleginij, and then again Alle- 
* rjliany for the rest of its course. If we have occasion to speak of the mount- 
ains, we niust, according to this method, call them Allegany in a description 
of New York, Allegheny in an article on Pennsylvania, and Alleghany in 
treating of Virginia or any of the Southern or Western States." — Lippin- 
cott's Gazetteer of the World, art. Alleghany. 

The spelling here recommended would yield the a to New York; the h to 
.^Pennsylvania: a fair compromise, surely. It is adopted in these pages. 



Irvine to Washington, 137 

them. Tlie most effectual way (in my opinion) in this quarter 
would be for us to establisli a post on the lake early in the 
spring, buiid two stout row galleys, each for one hundred n)cn, 
and to mount two twelve-pounders with other smaller guns. 
These, from the accounts I have, would be quite equal to 
destroy all their fleet. This business must undoubtedly be 
managed with secrecy and dispatch and arrangements made 
for holding the pos*t; otherwise, it could not answer any other 
purpose than a temporary loss of their vessels; as they could 
soon rebuild them if we did'not hold the command. Almost 
all the necessary irons and anchors for boat building are here 
ready made; but there is no heavier artillery than six-pounders, 
which are too small even for this post. 

The old causeway, as it is called, to Presq' Isle is so much 
out of repair it would take immense labor and waste much 
time to make it passable;^ besides, the navigation of the Alle- 
ghany river and French creek is at best uncertain; in sum- 
mer, none at all. Cuyahoga river, or creek, by all accounts, 
would be a proper place for such a post.^ From the mouth of 
Beaver creek ^ and Fort Mcintosh to the navigable part of this 
river is only about seventy miles, through a tolerable cham- 
paign country. However, I intend to have it explored soon 
by an intelligent oflicer, who for fear of discovery or cause for 
anybodj'- taking umbrage, shall go equipped and under the 
idea of a hunting excursion.* 

' As early aa 1759, the road from Venango to Le Boeuf was described as 
being "trod and good;" thence to Presq' Isle, about half a day's journey, as 
" very low and swampy and bridged almost all the way." 

" The Cuyahoga river rises in the central parts of Geauga county, Ohio, 
whence it rims into Portage and Summit counties, gradually turning north- 
westwardly into and across Cuyahoga county, entering Lake Erie at Cleveland. 
It has a total length of about sixty miles. The point referred to by Irvine 
was undoubtedly at or near the mouth of the river. 

*The Mahoning river and Shenango, uniting in what is now Lawrence 
county, Pennsylvania, form the Beaver river, usually called, at an early day, the 
" Big Beaver." Slippery Rock and Conoquenessing creek flow into it near to 
the dividing line between Beaver and Lawrence counties. The river then flows 
southward through nearly the middle of Beaver county, and empties into the 
Ohio at Rochester, close to the borough of Beaver. 

* Major Isaac Craig of the artillery was the •'intelligent officer " Irvine had 



138 WasJdngtoii-lQ'vine Correspondence. 

I shall not, at present, trouble your excellency with any 
further detail of this matter, as it is probable your general 
arrangements may render such an undertaking unnecessary, or 
that circumstances will not allow; however this may be, I 
presume the suggestion that such a plan might be effected 
will not be disagreeable to you. The expense would be con- 
siderable, but not more than must be spent in acting on the 
defensive and making partial fruitless excursions. It cannot, 

ia view, as will appear by the following order; but the general gave up " the 
idea of a hunting excursion:" 

" Fort Pitt, iS^or. 11, 1782. 

"iS/r; — I have received intelligence through various channels that the British 
have established a post at Lower Sandusky [now Fremont, Ohio], and also 
information that it is suspected they intend erecting one at either Cuyahoga 
creek or Grand river [now Fairport, Ohio]. But as these accounts are not 
from persons of military knowledge, nor to be fully relied upon in any partic- 
ular, and I am anxious to have the facts well established, you will therefore 
proceed with Lieutenant Rose, my aid-de-camp, and six active men, in order 
to reconnoiter these two places, particularly Cuyahoga. As your party is so 
small, you will use every precaution to avoid being discovered, which service 
I expect you will be able to perform, as they will probably be relaxed in disci- 
pline at this advanced season of the year. When you have reconnoitered 
these posts (if any), you may try to take a prisoner, provided it can be done 
without much risk of losing any of your party; which must be guarded 
against at all events, as it is not your business to come to action; my reasons 
for allowing you so small a party being to avoid discovery. 

"I know your zeal will excite you to go lengths, perhaps even beyond 
your judgment, in order to effect the purposes of your excursion. But, not- 
withstanding my earnest desire to obtain accurate accounts of the mattei*s 
mentioned herein, you will please to keep in view that I am extremely solici- 
tous that every man may be brought back safe, and that one man tailing into 
the hands of the enemy may not only ruin your whole present busuiess, but 
also prevent future discovery. 

"As it may be necessary for you to detach or separate from Mr. Rose, it 
will be, proper for you to give him a certified copy of this order. 

" I am, sir, your obedient, humble servant, 

" Wm. Irvine, B. Gen'l. 

"Major Craig." 

"The major, with his party, started on their expedition on the l:^)th of 
NoTOinber, taking with them one horse with a supply of provisions ; they 
crossed Big Beaver river at its mouth, and Little Beaver some distance above 
its mouth; thence they proceeded in a direction south of west, as if bound to the 
Indian town at the forks of the Muskingum, pursuing that course until night, 
and then turned directly north, and traveled all night in that direction. This 
was done to mislead and elude the pursuit of Indians who may have followed 



Iu'vine to Washington. 139 

however, be performed at all unless a magazine of salt provision 
is laid up here this winter, which is very practicable; there 
are great quantities oE pork in the country. 

This fort [Fort Pitt] has been much repaired in the course 
of the summer. A new row of picketing is planted on every 
part of the parapet where the brick revetment did not extend, 
and a row of palisading nearly finished in the ditch; so far, 
also, with sundry other small improvements; but, above all, 
a complete magazine, the whole arched with stone. I think I 

them. When they arrived, as they supposed, within a day's march of the 
mouth of the Cuyahoga, they left one man with the extra provisions. It was 
the intention, upon rejoining this man, to have taken a fresh supply of provis- 
ions, and then proceed to examine the mouth of Grand river, one of the points 
which the enemy was repoi-ted to have in view. General Irvine, in his instruc- 
tions, had treated it as a point of less importance than the Cuyahoga, but yet 
worthy of attention. The weather proved very unfavorable after the separa- 
tion, the major, with his party, was detained beyond the appointed time, and 
the soldier with the horse, had disappeared; so that when they reached the 
designated place, weary and half famished, they found no relief, and had 
before them a journey of more than one hundred miles, through a hostile wil- 
derness. The examination of Grand river had, of course, to be abandoned, 
and the party was compelled to hasten back to Fort Pitt. 

" The travel back was laborious and painful, the weather being tempestuous 
and variable. The party pursued the most direct course homeward. Before 
they reached the Connequenessing, near about, as Major Craig thought, 
where Old Harmony now stands, the weather became extremely cold, and 
they found that stream frozen over, but the ice not sufficiently firm to bear the 
weight of a man. The following expedient was then resorted to as the best 
the circumstances allowed: A large fire was kindled on the northern bank 
of the Connequenessing, and when it was burning freely, the party stripped 
off their clothes; one man took a heavy bludgeon in his hands to break the 
way, while each of the others followed with portions of their clothes and arms 
in one hand and a firebrand in the other. Upon reaching the southern bank 
of the stream, these brands were placed together and a brisk fire soon raised, 
by which the party dressed themselves, and then resumed their toilsome 
march. Upon reaching the Cranberry plains, they were delighted to find 
encamped there a hunting party consisting of Captain Uriah Springer and 
other officers, and some soldiers, from the fort. There, of course, they^were 
welcomed and kindly treated, and, partaking of the refreshments in their 
cases so necessary and desirable, they resumed their journey and arrived at 
the fort on the evening of the 2d of December." — Sketch of the Life and 
Services of Isaac Craig, bij Neville B. Craig, pp. 41-44. Consult, in this con- 
nection, the W. R. and N. 0. Hist. Soc. tract, No. 22. 



llfi WasJiington-Trvhie Correspondence. 

may venture to assert, it is a very elei^ant piece of workman- 
ship as well as most useful one. It has been executed under 
the direction of Major Craig.^ 

I have used the most rigid economy in every instance. The 
whole expense is but a trifle. Though the troops labored hard, 
yet, from the smallness of their number and unavoidable in- 
terruptions, some necessary repairs remain yet unfinished. 
Some parts of the ramparts and parapets are much broken 
down. A new main gate and draw bridge are wanted and 
some small outworks are necessary to be erected, which cannot 
be effected tliis winter, as it is now high time to lay in fuel and 
make some small repairs on the soldiers' barracks to make 
them habitable. 

If I am to be continued in service and command here, I 
shall be much ol)liged to your excellency for leave to visit my 
family at Carlisle in the dead of winter, when 1 suppose there 
can be no risk in my being absent from the post. Besides, I 
shall then be directly on the line of communication to this 
place, and will not stay longer than j'ou may judge proper. 
I should not trouble your excellency with this request, was not 
the necessity for paying some attention to my private affairs 
very urgent; notwithstanding, if it is, in any measure, in- 
compatible with your views, or inconsistent with my dut}'', I 
will cheerfully submit to your excellency's pleasure in the 
matter. 

^ About this time, a detachment composed of three hundred British ar.d five 
hundred Indians was formed in Canada, and after reaching the south side of 
Lake Erie, embarked on Chautauqua hdie with twelve pieces of artillery, with 
the intention of attacking Fort Pitt; but the expedition was abandoned before 
proceeding further, in consequence of the reported repairs and strength of the 
post. General Irvine, in August, picked up at Fort Pitt a number of canoea 
which had drifted down the river; and he received repeated accounts in June 
and July, from a Canadian who had deserted to him, as well as from friendly 
Indians, of this armament, but he was ignorant at the time where it had 
assembled. Notwithstanding the enterprise was given up by the enemy, as 
just mentioned, another project was immediately entered into and carried out 
with effect, by a portion of the detachment marching against Hannastown, a 
settlement to the eastward of Pittsburgh. (See Appendix B, — Irvine to Lin- 
coln, July IG, 1782; also, Appendix G, — Irvine to Moore, same date.) 



Washington to Irvine. 1)^1 



XX. — Washington to Irvine. 

Head Quartees, Newburgh, Deceviber 11, 1782. 

Sir: — Your letter of the 29th of October came to hand a 
few days since. 

Yievving the matter on every side, I think it best the expe- 
dition was laid aside. Your reasoning on the subject is very 
just — such excursions serve only to draw tlie resentment of 
the savages; and I much fear, that to the conduct of our people 
may be attributed many oi the excesses which have been com- 
mitted on our frontiers. 

1 am obliged to you for the plan you suggest. I wish al- 
ways you would propose to me any enterprises you may think 
of advantage, and my endeavors shall not be wanting to pro- 
mote them when our circumstances will admit. 

The expedition to Lake Erie is far above any means we have 
in our power. We cannot advance a single farthing, and to 
undertake it with any prospect of success or advantage, we 
should have such a command of money as to induce a number 
of ship carpenters to accompany a sufficient detachment; 
otherwise it would be impossible for us to build vessels there 
without the enemy's knowledge; and then they could, and 
doubtless would, build vessels with heavier metal as fast as we. 

As to laying in a magazine of salted provisions, that should 
be done whether an expedition is undertaken on a large scale 
or not, and the contractors should take measures for that 
purpose. 

I shall be glad to hear from you when you have explored 
the country j^ou mention. 

From every appearance I do not imagine our parties will be 
distressed during the winter; and, as your command will be con- 
tinued, if your private affairs require your presence, I shall 
have no objection to your visiting your family for a reason- 
able time whenever the situation of your post will admit it. 
Of that you can best judge.^ 

' Irvine left Fort Pitt to visit his family in Carlisle the last of Februaiy, 
turning the command of that post and its dependencies over to Lieutenant- 



H^ Washington- Irvine Correspondence. 



XXI. — Irvine to Washington. 

Paelisle, Ifareh 6, 1783. 

Sir: — I was honored with y,p(ii' excellency's letter of the 
7tli December. Neither the situation of things at Fort 
Pitt, nor my state of health would admit of my coming down 
the country much sooner. I got here two days ago, only. 
There have been no murders committed by the savages this win- 
Colonel Stephen Bayard, then of the third Pennsylvania regiment. He reached 
home March 4th. (See next letter.) Before^his departure, he issued the fol- 
lowing instructions to Bayard: 

" Fort Pitt, Februanj, 1783. 

''Sir: — In my absence from this post the command will devolve on you. 
As you are so well acquainted with the duty and police of the garrison, and 
my mode of conducting matters generally, it will be unnecessary for me to 
descend to many or minute particulars. You are also well acquainted with 
the state of the stores and all public property, and how necessary economy is 
in every instance; particularly as it is not only ditKcult to have stores brought 
here, but the transportation of them is immense. 

"Let not the report of peace or anything short of an order from proper au- 
thority for evacuating this post or disbanding the troops be the smallest in- 
ducement for you to suffer any deviation from discipline and exact performance 
of all military duties. 

*' Should the savages commit murder on the frontier and application is made 
to you, or you hear of it with certainty, you will give such assistance to protect 
the inhabitants as in your power, consistently with the safety of the post. 
The assistance ought to be mutual, as the defense of the country and post de- 
pends much on each other. You will, therefore, cultivate a friendly inter- 
tercourse with the militia officers (if their services should become necessary). 
I make no doubt you will make the best arrangements and render every ser- 
vice in your power comporting with these instructions. 

"Should any matters come to my knowledge of consequence to the com- 
mand or troops of this gari'ison, you shall have the earliest notice possible. 
The post at Mcintosh will also claim your attention. I have given the pres- 
ent commandant particular instructions, which will do for standing orders 
during my absence, unless circumstances change very materially. I am, with 
great regard, dear sir, your obedient, humble servant, 

"Wm. Irvine, B. Gon'l." 

"P. S. — Should a necessity arise for demanding a few volunteer militia, to 
perform a scout, it will be far most advantageous they should be joined to a 
few regulars and all supplied with a certain number of days' provision from 

this place. 

"W. I. 
"Lt. Col. Bayard." 



Irvine to Washington. 1J^3 

ter, except one Mr. Madison, who was killed at Kanawha ^ 
(when with a party survey ins^), the 15tli of Januarj'. 

I have heard nothing lately from any of the Indian nations, 
but have got accounts through a private channel that Sir John 
Johnson ~ was at Detroit in October last and told the Indians 
they must remain quiet till spring; that there was a prospect 
of peace; but if it did not take place, he would find ample 
employment for them. Great preparations are making and 
magazines la3nng up at their several posts on Lake Erie; and 
every measure seems to threaten some capital stroke from them 
to the westward this spring or summer. 

If we are not in a situation to perform enterprises on a 
large scale, we ought at least to try something in the partisan 
wa}'. I have in view to surprise a small post called Fort 
Schlosser,^ at a carrying place at the lower end of Lake Erie; 

' By Kanawha is here meant the Great Kanawha. This stream is formed 
by the Gauley and New river, and enters the Ohio at Point Pleasant, West 
Virginia, a distance of two hundred and sixty-seven miles by the course of 
the latter stream,* below Pittsburgh. In early tmies, the name was generally 
written Kenhawa. 

- Sir John Johnson was the son of Sir William Johnson, who, for a long 
time previous to the revolution was colonial agent and sole superintendent of 
the affairs of the Six Nations and other northern tribes. Sir John was born 
in 1742, and upon the death of his father in 1774, succeeded to his title and 
estates as well as to the post of major general of militia. Early in 1776, the 
whigs attempted to secure his person, but with about seven hundred followers 
he fled from the interior of New York to Canada. He was soon commissioned 
a colonel, raised two battalions, called the Royal Greens; and became one of 
the most active and one of the bitterest foes that the whigs encountered dur- 
ing the revolution. He invested Fort Stanwix in August, 1777, and at Oris- 
kany defeated General Mercer. In 1780, he was himself defeated by General 
Van Rensselaer at Fox's Mills. Soon after the close of the war, Sir John 
went to England, but returned in 1785, and resided in Canada. He was 
superintendent of Indian atFairs until his death, which occurred at Montreal 
on the 4th day of January, 1830. He was, for a number of years, a member 
of the legislative council of Canada. The British government, to compensate 
him for his losses, made him several grants of laud. His son, Sir Adam Gor- 
don Johnson, born in 1781, succeeded to his father's title. 

^Fort Scblosser was situated nearly two miles above the cataract of Niagara 
on the east side of the river. Near this point was the French post Fort da 
Portage, which was burned in 1759. The fort was rebuilt by the British in 
17G0, and named Fort Scblosser. It was, along with Fort Niagara, briefly 



lJi,Ji. Washington-Irvine Covtespondence. 

i' ~~~~ 

accomplishing this, though small in itself, might be attended 
with happy effects, not less perhaps than saving Fort Pitt or 
the post at the falls of the Ohio;^ particularly if the stroke 
can be made when they have a quantity of provision at the 
place. It will at any time harass and embarrass them, and 
might cause such delay as to frustrate their plan. I know it 
will be a hazardous undertaking, chiefly occasioned by Indians 
who live in the vicinity. The garrison live in the most per- 
fect state of security — only one officer and twenty-five men. 
I think early in the month of May will be not only the most 
likely time to succeed, but answer greater ends; as, at that sea- 
son they generally begin to transport over the lake [Erie] 
their provisions and stores, and seldom have any other guard 
employed than barely enough to work their vessels. 

Since my arrival at this place, the reports and appearance 
of peace are so flattering I begin to persuade myself there 
will be little occasion for my returning to Fort Pitt; however, 
in order to avoid disappointment or delay, I have sent my 
aid-decamp [Lieutenant John Pose] to the secretary at war, 
in order to transact several matters relative to the post, which 
cannot be so well done by letter; and, in the mean time, will 
prepare for returning to my command the 1st of April, unless 
otherwise directed by your excellency ot the secretary at war. 



XXII. — Irvine to Washington, 

Carlisle, March 28, 1783. 
Sir.' — The general face of affairs is so much changed since 
I wrote to your excellency the 6th instant, that I think it most 
advisable for me to remain here, and not return to Fort Pitt 

invested by the savages in 1763, but was not captured. During the revolu- 
tion, as before that tiuie, the portage around the falls terminated at this point; 
its commencement being about eight miles below, at what is now Lewiston, 
Niagara county, New York. 

^ In 1780, a fort was built " at the falls of the Ohio," at what was then (or 
soon after) Louisville, Kentucky, and called Fort Nelson, in honor of Thomas 
Nelson, at that date governor of the state of V.rginia, wliich state included 
the whole of Kentucky. In 1782, a larger and more commodious fort was con. 
structcd on the same site. It contained about an acre of ground. 



Irvine to Washington. 1J^5 

till I receive your orders, especially as everythina^ is quiet in 
that quarter and the post in good order. Eotli Yirginia and 
Pennsylvania troops, of whom the garrison are composed 
(being enlisted for the war expressly), will not think them- 
selves obliged to do one hour's duty after the peace is an- 
nounced. And should they be disbanded before measures are 
taken for securing the stores, great waste and perhaps total 
destruction will take place. I may call a militia guard, but 
that will be small security, I assure you. . . . 

As there is no paymaster at the post, Mr. Morris and the 
paymaster general have prevailed on Lieutenant Rose, my 
aid-de-carap, to make one month's payment to the troops, in 
order to save the expense of an appointment for that purpose; 
I will therefore let him proceed immediately.^ Perhaps the 

' The meaning of Irvine is that Rose would immediately proceed to Fort 
Pitt. The general 's order was as follows : 

"Cakxisle, April 1, 1783. 

"You will immediately proceed to Fort Pitt and pay the troops of that gar- 
rison, agreeably to the directions of the paymaster general. You will keep 
an account of the expenses of your journey and charge the same to the United 
States. Wm. Ikvine, B. Gen'l. 

"To Lieutenant John Rose." 

Rose's account of the expenses of his journey, as rendered, was as follows: 
"The United States, 

" To John Rose, Lieutenant 3d Penn. Reg't, Dr. 

" To my expenses on a journey from Carlisle to Fort Pitt, being six 

days, at $2.00 per day, 112.00." 

[Instead of the dollar mark ($), the word is given.] 

The following is the correspondence between Rose and the paymaster gen- 
eral while the former was acting-paymaster at Fort Pitt: 

"Philadelphia, March 21, 1783. 

"5ir; — As you have been so kind as to undertake to pay the troops for me 
at Fort Pitt, I do hereby authorize you to draw bills on me for the monthly 
subsistence of the ofiBcers there, agreeably to the rates of the establishnaent 
signed by the secretary at war now given to you. You will be cautious not to 
pay any persons but those on the present arrangement. You will take dupli- 
cate receipts from each officer and transmit me one set with your accounts as 
often as safe conveyances occur. 

" If you can find a sale for your bills on me, you will be pleased to pay to 

the privates of the infantry half a dollar a week, and to the non-commissioned 

officers and the privates of the other corps in the same proportion, until you 

have paid to them one month's pay, which is to be for January, 1783, and 

10 



llfi Wasldngton-Trvine C orresj>ondence. 

order for paying the men only half a dollar a week may be 
dispensed with, and that they may receive the whole at once, 
but he will proceed in the mode directed till your excellency's 
pleasure is signified. 

I understand the paymaster general is gone to settle with 
the main array, and I presume some person will also be sent 
for this purpose to the southern army. The troops at Fort 
Pitt are considered as of the latter, but in this business I con- 
ceive them unconnected, and that it would be expedient to 
have some person appointed for this purpose, and this can not 



take duplicate vouchei's, as in the case of the officers' subsistence. Mr. Tan- 
nehill, the gentleman who has lately transacted my business at Fort Pitt, being 
discharged and having the sum of forty-seven dollars and thirty-ninetieths in 
his hands of the public monies, you will please to receive the same from him 
and apply it to the public use. 

" As he has not sent down his last vouchers, I will thank you to pay an at- 
tention to their being forwarded. I am, sir, with respect, your most obedient 
servant, John Pierce, P. G. 

" Captain John Rose." 

"Fort Pitt, May 5, 1783. 

"<S(V: — Inclosed I transmit to you the accounts and vouchers of one month's 
pay and four months' subsistence paid the officers at this post, continued on 
the present arrangement. Lieutenant Samuel Bryson's pay of the second 
Pennsylvania regiment remains in my hands, he having obtained leave of 
absence before my arrival here. 

"Empowered by your instructions, I have given Mr. William Wilson, or 
his order, a draft on you of a hundred and sixty dollars. I expect the dis- 
charge of it will meet with no delay when presented, as the receipts for the 
disbursements of the money accompany this letter. 

"The soldiers here have refused receiving their pay for one month at the 
weekly rates proposed; but should they be paid, are the muster-rolls to be the 
guide to the paymaster, or is he to confine himself to the regulated establish- 
ment of the army, namely: some companies muster a double number of 
drums and fites, etc.? Again, men who were mustered in January, but since 
discharged the service, are these, upon application made by thein, to receive 
this pay? And again, prisoners of war and others, not mustered in January, 
but now actually on the spot doing duty, are they to be included? 

" With much economy I shall be able to rake up subsistence for May; after 
that, the garrison will depend upon your goodness and care to forward it in 
cash. You will please to favor me with a few lines signifying the receipt of 
my accounts and vouchers delivered you by Mr. Blackwood. I am, etc. 

"John Rose. 

"John Pierce, Esq., Paymaster General." 



Irvine to Washington. 1)^7 

be done after they are separated from the officers now with 
them. Tliey have confidence in my promise to them last year 
(bj' yonr excellency's order) that they might depend on being 
treated, in every respect, equal to any other troops of the 
army. And I think I may venture, •without creating a sus- 
picion of vanity, to assure your excellency that this confidence 
is heightened by the unremitting pains I have taken to have 
them provided for, and at the same time exact discipline kept 
up, but for this I have been compensated by the good order 
established and the cheerfulness and alacrity with which they 

"Fort Pitt, Jnne^, 1783. 

"/§(>; — My accounts and vouchers for the payment of the subsistence for 
May accompany this letter. I now retain cash for bills sold General Irvine to 
the amount of nineteen hundred eighty-four dollars, the exact sum requisite 
to pay the soldiery at this post one month's pay. Though they refused to 
take it at the weekly rates proposed, as I mentioned to you in a former letter, 
yet I make no doubt they will request and expect it in one payment as soon 
as the time is elapsed it would require to pay it in the first mode prescribed. 
General Irvine, therefore, wishes I should reserve this sum until I could receive 
your instructions on this head. 

"But as this sum includes all the public money remaining in his hands, 
and as I have no prospect of any farther sale of any bills upon you, I shall be 
necessitated to apply a part of the sum mentioned to the subsistence of the 
officers. Should you detertnine to pay the troops of this post their month's 
pay agreeable to this requisition in one payment, you will please to transmit 
me by the bearer of this letter as much money as will be necessary to pay the 
officers their subsistence for the time they are likely to be continued here. By 
Mr. John Irwin, you will find a very safe conveyance. He promises to wait 
on you for an answer to this and my letter of the 5th of last month favored 
by Mr. Blackwood. I am, etc., John Rose. 

"John Pierce, Esq., Paymaster General." 

" Pay Office, Philadelphia, Juhj 21, 1783. 
" Sh': — Yours of the 5th of May last with the accounts inclosed I have re- ■ 
ceived, and your bill for one hundred and sixty dollars is duly honored. In 
answer to that letter, I will say, we are obliged to take muster rolls for our 
sole guide, which are sufficient vouchers for payment of moneys. You must 
take care that your payments be as small as possible, for which reason it is 
much the best to omit the discharged men, if in your power; and if a larger 
number of drums and fifes are mustered than what are allowed in the estab- 
lishment, the muster master ought to be called on to answer for such allow- 
ance; but we have no power to alter it. If, in February rolls, men are 
mustered for January, the January pay will be drawn with the February, and 
so on from time to time. 



1J^8 Washiiujton-I rvine Correspondence. 

perform all kinds of diitj. In the meantime I will direct 
Lieutenant-Colonel Bayard, the present commanding officer, 
to keep the troops together in all events, till he receives posi- 
tive orders to the contrary. 

If 3'oiir excellency should think proper to direct my return 
to Fort Pitt, I shall be greatly obliged by your limiting the 
time of my stay, — '■ some attention to my health being neces- 
sary, as it is much impaired. And I farther beg whatever or- 
ders or instructions you judge necessary may be, as soon as 
convenient, forwarded to me at this place. 

Sir: — The most glorious news of a general peace, honorable 
for America, arrived here two days ago. On this happy oc- 
casion, I pray your excellency may be pleased to accept my 
sincere congratulations. That you may long live to enjoy the 
well-earned fruits of your labors is the ardent wish of, sir, etc. 



XXIII. — Ikvinp: to Washington. 

Carlisle, Ajpril 16, 1T83. 
Sir: — I have received a letter this day from Lieutenant- 
Colonel Bayard,^ at Fort Pitt, informing me that the savages 

"I have also received yours of the 8th of last month. I have not the least 
doubt but you may pay the soldiers their month's pay for January all at once; 
but as for the subsistence money due the officers for this year, we have not the 
way of paying them, but by notes gi-anted by Mr. Hilligas payable monthly. 
I could send them some of them if I thought it would answer the purpose. 
The officers of the main army receive them and the contractors receive them 
commonly for provisions supplied the officers. I am, sir, your most obedient 
servant, Philip Audebert, Assistant Paymaster General. 

"P. S. — The paymaster general is at headquarters. Mr. Morris' notes, 
payable in six months from the 10th day of June, are ready for three months' 
pay of the army, and you may have them whenever you please. 

"L't John Rose." 

The promptness of Rose's settlement with the paymaster general is indi- 
cated by the date of the following receipt: 

"Pay Office, Philadelphia, 'November 5, 1783. 

" Received of L't John Rose fifty-four dollars and 3-90, being the full bal- 
ance of his account settled in this office while acting as paymaster at Fort 
Pitt. Philip Audebert, A. P. M." 

* Bayard to Irvine, April 5, 1783, Appendix M. 



Washington to Irvine. IJ^D 

have killed and taken a number of families, nearly at the 
game time, in different quarters of the country, both on the 
frontiers of Virginia and Pennsylvania; seventeen persons are 
said to be killed and scalped in one small settlement on Wheel- 
ing creek.^ This stroke has been very unexpected; numbers 
of people were returning to their places in confidence that 
these wretches would not dare to continue the war unsup- 
ported. 

I presume this conduct will give force to a temper already 
pretty prevalent among the back settlers, never to make peace 
with Indians; and, indeed, I am almost persuaded it will be 
next to impossible to insure peace with them till the whole of 
the western tribes are driven over the Mississippi and the lakes, 
entirely beyond the American lines, — which will not now be 
very difficult, but would take two summers at least, and be at- 
tended with great expense; yet I am certain not so great as 
holding treaties, and have much better effect, as all the sums 
heretofore expended in treating and presents have been worse 
than thrown away. I have not yet been honored wnth your 
excellency's acknowledgment of the receipt of my letters of 
the 6th and 28th March. 



XXIY. — Washington to Ikvine. 

Head Quarters, April 16, 1783. 
Sir: — In reply to your favor of the 28th of March, I have 
to observe that it is probable that a dissolution of the army is 
not far distant, but as it is uncertain when the proclamation 
of peace and cessation of hostilities will be ordered by con- 
gress;^ and as it is of much importance, for the reasons men- 
tioned by yourself, among others, that you should be present 

' Wheeling creek enters the Ohio on the left, at the distance of ninety-three 
miles, by the river's course, below Pittsburgh. Its mouth is the site of the 
present city of Wheeling, West Virginia. 

''The preliminary articles of peace were signed at Paris, November 30, 
1782; the general — or as it was then generally styled, the definitive — treaty, 
at the same place, January 20, 1783. It was ratified by congress, April 11th, 
following, and publicly proclaimed the 19th of the same month, three days 
after the date of the above letter. 



150 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

at your post, previous to and at tlie taking place of that event; 
I have to desire that you will proceed immediately to Fort 
Pitt, where your influence and prudence may be much needed. 

Particular instructions respecting the security and disposi- 
tion of the stores, after disbanding the troops now at the gar- 
rison, it is not in my power to give you at this time. These 
you will probably soon receive from the secretary at war, and 
will depend upon the arrangements which shall be adopted for 
a peace establishment, which are now under consideration.^ 
On this decision, also, will probably depend the length of time 
which will be necessary for you to remain at the post. 

The paymaster general is now taking measures for forming 
his settlements with the army. In his arrangement, the whole 
are to be included, and will undoubtedly extend to Fort Pitt. 

The happy event of a general peace diffuses very universal 
satisfaction. With great sincerity, I return you my congrat- 
ulations on the occasion, and beg you to accept my thanks for 
the good wishes which you apply personally to myself. 



XXV. — Irvine to Washington.^ 

Carlisle, May 8, 1783. 

Sir: — Your excellency's favor of the 16th of April did not 
come to hand till this day. Agreeable to your desire, I will 
proceed to Fort Pitt immediately.® 

I entreat your excellency will be pleased to give particular 
instructions respecting any measures you may deem proper for 
that garrison ; as I have reason to fear it will otherwise come 
in late for a share of public notice. 

Letters of a late date inform me that the savages have not 
done any damage in that quarter since the first of April. 

^ The secretary at war wrote Irvine, June 23, 1783, but the letter miscar- 
ried. (See Appendix B, — Jackson to Irvine, September 15, 17i:^3.) 

*This letter is the last one written by Irvine as commander of the western 
department to Washington which has been found, — one written as late as the 
6th of September, 1783, unfortunately being lost. 

^ Irvine reached Fort Pitt on his third trip out, a little past the middle of 
May. On the first of July, because of the scarcity of provisions at his post. 



Washington to Irvine. 151 



XXVI. — Washington to Irvine.^ 

EocKY IIiLL, Septemher 16, 1783. 

Sir: — Your letter of the 6th bj Lieutenant ilose has been 
dulj received. 

As the secretary at war had undertaken to furlough all that 
part of the army which lay south of the Delaware, I was much 

he furloughed most of the troops for a few days, and afterward continued the 
f urloughing for some time, in rotation. From the fifteenth of May to the 
eighteenth of July, there was but one maraud of savages into the western 
settlements. From the last mentioned date to the time of Irvine's final de- 
parture from Pittsburgh, comparative quiet reigned throughout the western 
department. On the twenty-sixth of September, he received a letter from the 
assistant secretary at war notifying him that as soon as a detachment of 
troops arrived which were then on their way, he would be relieved from com- 
mand at Fort Pitt, which he so much desired. He was authorized to furlough 
as many of his garrison at once as consistent with safety. This he did, turn- 
ing over the remainder to one'of his captains, and on the first day of October 
started for his home in Carlisle. 

' This letter of Washington ended the official correspondence between him 
and General Irvine during the revolution. The latter, the day before his de- 
parture, was presented with the following address: 

" PiTTSBUKGH, September 30, 1783. 
" To Brigadier General Irvine, 

" (Commanding at Fort Pitt and its Dependencies. 

" Sir: — The inhabitants of Pittsburgh having just learned that you intend 
to retire from this command to-morrow, would do injustice to their own feel- 
ings if tbey did not express their thanks to you, and their sense of your merit 
as an officer. During your command in this department, you have demon- 
strated that amidst the tumults of war, the laws may be enforced and civil 
liberty and society protected. Your attention to the order and discipline of 
the regular troops under your command, as well as to the militia, your regard 
to the civil rights of the inhabitants, the care you have taken of the pubhc 
property, and your economy in the expenditure of the pubHc money, we have 
all witnessed. This conduct, we assure you, has given general satisfaction to 
a people who, before your time, were, unfortunately for them, much divided, 
but now united. 

"As you are now about to quit the military life (in which your ability and 
integrity have been so conspicuous), we wish you all possible happiness, and 
that your fellow citizens may long enjoy your usefulness in civil life, in which 
we doubt not you will deserve their utmost confidence. 

" We regret that we were not sooner informed of the time you intended to 
set out, as we are confident the whole country would have, with pride, joined 
us in this or a more animated and better drawn-up address. 



152 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

surprised on the receipt of your letter, to find that business 
so irreguhirly conducted at Fort Pitt; but, on inquiry at the 
war office, tlie difficulty seems evidently to have originated 
from circumstances that could not have been foreseen, the par- 
ticulars of which you will be fully informed of by Major [W.] 
Jackson, assistant secretary at war, and which. I hope, will be 
perfectly satisfactory to you. 

" We sincerely wish you health and a happy meeting with your family and 
friends at Carlisle; — and are, with gieat esteem and respect, sir, yom- obedi- 
ent and very humble servants, 

" John Ormsby, Joseph Nicholson, v 

Devereux Smith, Samuel Sample, 

David Duncan, Alexander Fowler, 

Daniel Elliott, William Christy, 

Samuel Ewalt, John Hardin, 

George Walker, William Amberson." 

General Irvine's Reply, 

" Fort Pitt, Septemher 30, 1783. 

*^ Gentlemen: — Accept my sincere thanks for the address, however flat- 
tering, handed me by you on behalf of the inhabitants of the town of 
Pittsburgh. Conscious of the rectitude of my intentions, I am happy that 
they have met with your approbation. This testimony of your satisfaction is 
to me a most pleasing reward for the anxious moments I have passed. I have 
ever felt disposed to sacrifice personal considerations for the benefit not only 
of the pubhc, but for that of every individual connected with my local 
command. 

"Your concurrence in all the measures which I adopted to facilitate the 
public service, deserves my most unfeigned acknowledgments. I have the 
honor to be, with great regard, gentlemen, your most obedient servant, 

" W. Irvine," 



APPENDIX A. 



IRVINE TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. 



I. 

Philadelphia, October 3, 1781.^ 
Sir: — I am sorry to be under the necessity of troubling 
your excellency to inform you that I have it not yet in my 
power to proceed to Fort Pitt, not being able to obtain the 
small supply of cash which congress was pleased to direct a 
warrant issued in my favor for. 

This information I think it my duty obliges me to give, 
lest the objects for which I am ordered there may be lost. I 
can assure your excellency no unnecessary delay shall be made 
the moment I have it in ray power to proceed. I have, there- 
fore, to request the further orders of congress. 



II. 

Fort Pitt, Decemher 3, 1781.^ 
Sir: — Agreeable to the directions of congress, I have ar- 
ranged the troops here in such a manner as to retain no more 
officers than sufficient for the number of men.^ The whole 
are now re-formed into four companies, namely: the seventh 
Yirginia regiment, commanded by Colonel Gibson, into two; 

' Irvine directed this and the following letter to the president of congress, 
simply. The incumbent, at that date, was Thomas McKean, of Delaware. 
He was superseded on the 5th of November, 1781, by John Hanson, of Mary- 
land. 

"^ This letter is, to a great extent, anticipated by Irvine's letter to Washmg- 
ton of the day previous (ante, p. 72). 

^ This, it will be noticed, was in accordance with the instructions of con- 
gress, directing him " to arrange the troops which compose the garrison of 
Fort Pitt and its dependencies in such manner as to retain no more officers 
than are absolutely necessary for the number of non-commissioned officers 
and privates at these posts." (Ante, p. 72, note 1.) 



15 Jf. Wasli ington-Trvuie Corresjyondeiice. 

and tlie late eiglitli Pennsylvania, also into two. The latter I 
have styled a detaclimeut from the Pennsylvania line, and" 
hav^e directed the supernnnierary officers to repair forthwith 
to join their respective regiments in the line. I have dis- 
missed several civil staff officers.^ The only one retained is 
Mr. Samuel Sample, who has been doing the duty of quar- 
termaster ever since Mr. Duncan was put under arrest.^ I am 
of opinion some person to act in that department is indispen- 
sably necessarj'-; and having no cause to fault Mr. Sample's 
conduct, have continued him until the pleasure of congress is 
known.^ 

I am sorry to inform the honorable, the congre-s, that Gen- 
eral Clark's expedition has failed. lie got no further than 
the rapids of the Ohio, whence a number of his men has re- 
turned here. Several of his detached parties are killed or 
taken, particularly a Colonel Lochry, with about one hundred 
men, all volunteers, except a company commanded by Captain 
Stokely, raised by Pennsylvania for the defense of Westmore- 
land county. This party, on its way down after the main 
body, was ambuscaded at the mouth of the Miami river, and 
it is said was all cut to pieces.* These misfortunes have 
thrown the people of this country into great consternation, 
especially of Westmoreland county, wdiere the loss of so many 
of their best men has thinned and weakened their frontier 

'Irvine was, by congress, authorized and directed, it will be remembered, 
to arrange the staff departments within his command, so as to I'etain no more 
officers or persons in those departments than the service absolutely demanded. 
(Ante, p. 7-2, note 1.) 

-David Duncan. He attended to Michael Huffnagle's (the contractor's) 
business at Fort Pitt. (Ante, p. 81, note 1.) 

In March, 1781, Duncan was appointed by the supreme executive council 
of Pennsylvania, a commissioner of purchases for the county of Westmore- 
land. His duty was to supply the garrison at Fort Pitt and state troops called 
out for the defense of the border. Being charged with speculating in public 
funds, he had been put under arrest, but, it appears, was soon after released. 
He had previously resigned. 

^Mr. Sample's office was that of acting assistant quartermaster. He was 
an old resident of Pittsburgh, having kept a public house there as early as 
1770. 

*See Appendix G, — Irvine to Moore, Decembers, 1781. 



Appendix A. 155 

exceedingly. Many are preparing to retreat to the east side 
of the mountain early in the spring. 

It is a prevailing opinion, and I fear too well founded, that 
the savages and British at Detroit will be so elated with the 
miscarriage of General Clark and others, that they will, in all 
probability, visit this post, or at least harass the whole fron- 
tier country, in the spring.^ I assure your excellency we are 
ill-provided for their reception. Fort Pitt is a heap of ruins. 
It never was tenable when in best repair. There is a much 
better position about four miles down the river, at the mouth 
of Chartiers creek, where a redoubt could be built at a small 
expense, — I am certain much smaller than to repair Fort Pitt. 
Besides, there are many advantages attending keeping a gar- 
rison there, which give it a preference to this place. 

As I believe re-formations and arranging the troops were the 
first objects congress had in view by sending me here, that 
being now nearly accomplished, and little danger to be appre- 
hended of an attack during the winter, — I request congress 
will be pleased to permit me to go down the country as far as 
Carlisle for the months of January and February. If your 
honorable body thinks proper to continue me on this com- 
mand, I will return in March, or as soon as they please to di- 
rect. However, I flatter myself they will not insist on my 
continuance without allowing me a few more regular troops. 
If I had five hundred in addition to the few here, I could 
probably, with the aid of the militia, afford effectual support 
to the country, by being able to act on the defensive. But I 
am persuaded it would answer a much better purpose if we 
could act offensively. There is great necessit}-, in my opinion, 
for adopting speedily some regular plan for action, or this 
country had better be entirely evacuated and given up at once; 
as there are at present but small prospects of saving the few 
troops and stores that are here should the enemy push us in 
April. I think proper measures could be better concerted by 
my being present either with congress or Genei-al Washington; 

' The savages, in fact, did " harass the whole frontier country in the spring " 
of 1782; and, owing to very mild weather in February, their visits were much 
earlier than usual. (Ante, p. 99, note 2.) 



loG Washington-Irvine C orrespondence. 

as there argTiiiany things which on such occasions can not he 
so well committed to paper. However, I shall submit to the 
pleasure of congress, and in the meantime wait here for or- 
ders, which I beg by the return of the express, who I have 
directed to wait your excellency's commands. 



APPENDIX B. 



CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE CONTINENTAL BOARD OF 

WAR;' ALSO WITH THE SECRETARY AT AVAR* 

AND HIS ASSISTANT.^ 



I. — Ikvine to the Boakd of War. 

Philadelphia, Septemher 25, 1781. 

Gentlemen: — I received this morning a resolution of con- 
gress directing me to repair forthwith to Fort Pitt to take the 
command of that garrison. 

As I believe this measure has been recommended by your 
honorable board, I must request you will please to reconsider 
the matter. I consider it lays me under great hardships which 
I am well convinced you did not intend; however, the facts 
are that it will be taking on me a command that is in no 

* On the 12th of June, 1776, congress appointed a committee of five of its 
own members to be known as the board of war and ordnance. It was the 
duty of the board to keep a full register of the army; a regular account of 
the state and disposition of the troops in the respective colonies ; and a full 
account of all war material belonging to the United States. The board was 
to send all dispatches and monies from congress to the colonies and armies; 
and it had charge of the raising, fitting out, and dispatching of all the land 
forces. It had the care, also, of all prisoners of war and the custody of all 
papers coming into its possession by order of congress or otherwise. In short, 
it had a general supervision of all matters appertaining to the land forces. 

The board had been abolished previous to the date of the above letter; but 
the members were requested to continue to transact its duties until assumed 
by the secretary at war; which officer was not elected for over a month subse- 
quent; hence, the necessity that Irvine should address his letter to the board 
of war. 

^ Major General Benjamin Lincoln was elected by congress on the 30th of 
October, 1781, as secretary at war, superseding the continental board of war 
and ordnance in office about a month afterward, and serving until the 29th 
of October, 1783, when he retired with a vote of congress acknowledging his 
highly meritorious services. The reason why the three following letters were 
directed to the board of war was because when written, Irvine had not yet 
received information of Lincoln's entering upon the duties of his office. 

^ W. Jackson. 



158 Washingto7i- Irvine Correspondence. 

degree adequate for an officer of my rank and that there are 
neither money nor materials to put the few troops there in a 
respectable situation. 1 hope neither congress or the board 
will expect that I should shut myself up there with a com- 
mand not superior to a major's. I believe there are great 
irregularities and abuses committed and that some arrange- 
ments are absolutely necessary. I consider myself under obli- 
gations to your honorable board in placing such confidence in 
me as to think me a suitable person to make these arrange- 
ments, but I flatter myself the resolution may be altered so far 
as respects my remaining there. 

The board, I hope, will also consider that my traveling there, 
if no troops go, will be attended wifli a heavy expense. I 
must necessarily take a number of horses and attendants, all 
of which must be, in the present situation of aifairs, defrayed 
as a private person at tavern expense. Either some money 
must be advanced on account, or a few months' pay will be 
indispensably necessary for me. 

I am informed the few troops there are in a most deplor- 
able situation, for want of money and in fact every necessary 
of life. Should I go there, they will of course look up to me 
for relief. I hope, therefore, that at least one month's pay 
may be provided for them; and such clothing as can be spared 
them should be instantly forwarded, otherwise the winter set- 
ting in will prevent their getting them. There are now some 
few articles of clothing at Carlisle for that garrison, which the 
quartermaster cannot forward for want of money. 



11. — Irvine to the Boakd or War. 

Fort Pitt, December 3, 1781. 
Gentlemen: — I do myself the honor to transmit copies of 
my orders for the purpose of arranging the troops here, and 
also respecting provision, which I hope will meet the approba- 
tion of your honorable board.^ I have struck off twocommis- 

' The following are the orders referred to: — 

"Fort Pitt, Novemher 10, 1781. 
" The troops formerly of the eighth Pennsylvania regiment are no longer to 
be considered as a regiment, but a detachment from the Pennsylvania line, 



Appendix B. 159 

saries, one forage master, and one Indian interpeter. There 
remain jet Mr. [Alexander] Fowler and his clerk, Avho says 
lie is .yearly appointed by congress anditor of acconnts, with 
three rations per day for himself and one for his clerk; and 
that he has not yet received a dismissal either from congress 
or the auditor general. I reqnest express directions respecting 
this man; and if he is to be struck off, an order to him to de- 
liver all the stationery on hand; as I am informed he has a 
pretty good stock. "When this is done there will not be a man 
on the civil staff except Mr. Samuel Sample, who has been do- 
ing the duty of quartermaster ever since Mr. [David] Duncan 
was put under arrest. As I think there is an indispensable 
necessity for some person to act in that department, I have 
continued him till further orders. I have also struck off or 
I'ather changed the title of ten artificers and now call them 
fatigue men. Any person to look at the place and be told that 
a number of artificers were employed, I believe they would 
rather imagine they were pulling down than building up or 
repairing. Such a complete heap of ruins to retain the name 

and for the present to be arranged into two companies and commanded by 
Lieutenant Colonel [Stephen] Bayard; the different companies to be com- 
manded by the following officers, namely: 1st company — Captain Clark, 
Lieutenants Peterson and Keed; 2d company — Captain Brady, Lieutenant 
Ward and Ensign Morrison. 

" Lieutenant Crawford will do duty of adjutant to the detachment and Lieu- 
tenant Neily the duty of quartermaster, until further orders. The non-com- 
missioned officers, drummers, fifers and privates, are to be divided into two 
companies as equally as the case will admit of, and Colonel Bayard will make 
the arrangement as soon as possible. 

■ "Captain Joseph Lewis Finley doing the duty of major of brigade, and 
Captain John Finley that of deputy judge advocate, will continue in these 
offices and remain at this post, until further orders. All the other officers 
of the Pennsylvania line will repair to the regiments they are respectively 
arranged to as soon as they can with any degree of convenience. They will leave 
all accounts respecting in any manner the pay, clothing or retained rations of the 
men, commissioned officers and privates, in the hands of those officers hereby 
ordered to take charge of them. The retiring officers will please to call upon 
the general before their departure, who can inform them of the rendezvous of 
the different regiments. 

" Colonel Gibson will aiTange his regiment as directed by a former general 
order and send such officers into Vh-ginia as he can at present spare. He will 
also please to send a trusty sergeant of his regiment with the Maryland troops, 



160 WasJiiiKjton-Irvine Corref^jpondence. 

of a post, I believe cannot be found in any other place. The 
stores are also nearly exhausted. When you see the returns 
(which I have directed the commissary of military stores to 
send), you will be able to determine whether the causes assigned 
for the issues are proper. But as I consider this does not lie 
with me to decide on, shall, for the present, say no more on 
this subject. 

I have written to congress and the commander-in-chief, in 
which I have given my opinion that Fort Pitt is not tenable 
and that a redoubt could be built within four miles, at Char- 
tiers Creek, at a less expense than would repair this place; 
that it has many advantages as a position. I have also asked 
leave of congress to go down the country for two months, and 
mentioned that I could concert proper measures for the de- 
fense of this country better by being present with congress, 
the board of war, or the commander-in-chief; as there are 
many things which cannot be so well committed to paper. 

The contractors have not supplied the troops tolerably with 
provisions. I have not been able to get half the things exe- 

with directions to deliver them to the executive of the state they belong to, 
with all convenient speed. 

"Such commissioned officers as think proper may draw two rations per day 
in future, when the state of the magazine will admit of it." 

[II.] 

" Fort Pitt, November 12, 1781. 

" All provision returns in future ai'e to be signed by officers commanding 
coi-ps and countersigned by the acting brigade inspector, except the command- 
ant's issues at out-posts, and also excepting officers' messes in the garrison, 
whose orders may be iss ued in the first instance, but monthly digested into 
rations by the parties and contractor, to be finally certified by the brigade 
inspector before they can be deemed vouchers for the contractor. 

"Officers commanding at out-posts are to be accountable for all provisions, 
military stores and public property of every kind; and when relieved, they are 
to deliver an inventory signed by themselves to the relieving officer, of every 
article in their charge. When they return to this post, they are to report any 
material occurrence during their command to the general or commanding offi- 
cer, and also render an account of all stores expended, with the cause of such 
expenditure. All officers returning from patroling, excursions, or commands 
of any kind, are to make similar reports. The brigade inspector will direct 
the issues for the friendly Indians. He will receive instructions fr-om the gen- 
eral from time to time, how many are to be allowed provisions, and also who 
in the staff department are to draw rations." 



Appendix B. 161 

cuted that I intend, being frequently three or four days with- 
out a mouthful. You will see by my letter to Mr. Duncan, 
who does the contractor's [Michael Huffnagle's] ^ business 
here, and his answer to me of this date, what the prospects 
are;^ though I fear he over-rates matters, especially if I am to 
judge from past promises, few which are complied with. I 
must here take the liberty to report my opinion to the board, 
which is — that if the contract was even complied with in the 
fullest extent, it is not an extensive plan enough; as the de- 
tachment can never amount to one hundred where there are 
only two hundred men. But suppose even the militia called 
out and posted by twenties at ten different places, I do not see 
how they are to be fed. 

The service here is very different from most other places. 
The contract might do at a stationary garrison, but this is not 
the case here, as more than half the men are always on one 

' Ante, p. 81, note 1. 

"^ Neither of these letters have been found. The following throws some 
light upon the nature of the contract and the difficulties in the way of its 
fulfillment: 

" Philadelphia, 20 December, 1781. 

"Sir: — I having contracted with the honorable Robert Morris, Esquire, 
financier-general, for the supplying of the post of Fort Pitt with provisions, 
I propose to supply the militia and ranging company for Westmoreland 
county, the ration to consist of the same articles as for the continental troops, 
and to be paid for at the same rate, which is eleven pence half penny for 
every ration, in gold or silver, — to be delivered at Hannastown and Ligonier; 
and twelve pence per ration at Rook's blockhouse; — that the lieutenant or 
oldest sub-lieutenant of the county countersigning the orders of the officers to 
be sufficient vouchers for settlement; that the supreme executive council [of 
Pa.] will settle with me every three months; that if any provisions shall be 
taken by the enemy, having an escort which is to be granted by the lieuten- 
ant upon proper application of the contractors, shall be paid for as rations 
issued; if any magazine shall be taken, to be paid for in like manner, the 
contractors having proper vouchers to produce for such quantity so taken ; 
that the supreme executive council are to advance me one hundred pounds in 
gold or silver. 

" I shall be obliged to you to mention these proposals to council, as it will 
be easier for me to supply them than any other person, my having the con- 
tract for the continental troops. Your most obedient, humble servant, 

"Mien. HUFFNAGLE. 

"The Honorable Christopher Hays, Esqr. [member of council from West- 
moreland county, Pennsylvania]. " 
11 



162 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

coramand or other. I fear the contract cannot be fulfilled 
without an ample supply of cash. Not a man in the whole 
country has credit for one hundred pounds. 

As there were no subaltern officers here belonging to the 
Pennsylvania line except four who, by mistake, were left out 
of the arrangement last year, I was under the necessity of 
retaining them here —at least till others from the line can be 
ordered here in their stead, which cannot be well done now 
before the spring. It is very hard on these gentlemen, as 
they thought themselves continued. They are deserving men. 
If they cannot be again re-admitted into the line, I would pro- 
pose that congress make some such resolution as this in their 
favor: "Whereas, Lieutenants Reid, Peterson, Neily, and 
Ensign Morrison, officers in the Pennsylvania line, were by 
mistake left out of the arrangement in October, 1780, — /Re- 
solved, If they cannot be admitted again into the line with 
propriety, that they be entitled to every emolument granted 
to other retiring officers agreeable to an act of congress of the 
21st of October, 1780; and if they cannot be admitted again 
into the line, that the commanding officer of the Pennsylvania 
line be directed to relieve them as soon as possible with other 
officers, and that they be entitled to full pay for the time they 
have done or shall do duty." It would I think not only be 
unjust but cruel not to allow them some such [relief] as the 
foregoing. I request the honorable, the board, will be pleased 
to have some steps taken respecting them. 

I had no other shift for a partial supply of forage than to 
order the quartermaster to barter a few old cast horses and 
other useless articles,^ but this is so small it will not last long. 

' The order was directed to the acting assistant quartermaster, Samuel Sam- 
ple, at Fort Pitt, and was in these words : 

"FoKT Pitt, November 12, 1781. 

" Sir: — You are hereby authorized and directed to dispose of all unneces- 
sary and cast horses, the property ot the United States, and other articles be- 
longing to the quartermaster's department at this post and its dependencies 
that are unfit for service or are likely to become so by decay or such as cannot 
be repaired at small expense to the public. 

" Your articles of sale must be either for ready cash — specie — or forage, 
equivalent for the sum agreed for. In the execution of this business, I make 



Appendix B. 1G3 

Wood and coal are much more difficult to be had here than is 
generally imagined. It takes three teams kept very bnsy to 
supply these articles. 

In 1780, it was ordered by congress that General Washing- 
ton should employ such a number of express riders and post 
them at such places as he thought proper. He directed one to 
remain here, but I cannot find that there ever was any such a 
person; if there was, he was kept in the quartermaster's em- 
ploy and not under the direction of the commanding officer. 
However, there is no doing without one. I have been obliged, 
in this instance, to send a soldier and find him with money to 
bear his expenses. I hope you will direct Colonel [Samuel] 
Miles [deputy quartermaster] to refund that, and give the man 
as much as will bring him back. I beg also you will give 
orders for establishing one here. 

I have also enclosed a return of the troops and of the military 
stores. 



III. — Irvine to the Boakd of War. 

Fort Pitt, December 13, 1781. 
Gentlemen: — This will be handed to you by Ensign Tanne- 
hill, paymaster of the 7th Virginia regiment, who (as there is 
no deputy paymaster here) carries the muster and pay rolls of 
his own regiment and also of the Pennsylvania detachment, 
the officers of which wish him to receive their pay. The 
officers in the first instance agree to defray Mr. Tannehill's 
expenses, but hope the honorable, the board, will allow him 
reasonable expenses, as the rest of the army receive their 
pay clear. I know it may be answered that if they had' pa- 
tience they would be done so by, too. But their necessities 
are extreme. Few officers are able to do duty for want of 

no doubt you will do your utmost for the good of the public. Indeed, great 
economy is necessary in every department. 

" The amount of these sales must be appropriated for procuring forage in- 
dispensably necessary for the support of the garrison. This information I 
think proper to give you that you may arrange matters accordingly. I am, 
sir, your obedient, humble servant. 

*' Wm. Ievine, B. Gen'l." 



IGlf, Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

clothing. When there was a paymaster and remnant of paper 
money in his hands, it was of no use, as no kind of paper 
currency passed in this part of the country for many months 
past; so that the depreciation the Pennsylvania troops received 
has been of no value to them; and the Virginia regiment 
never received any. In short, they conceive themselves totally 
neglected, and that the main army wants for notliing; but, on 
the contrary, are firmly of opinion they live in the greatest 
luxury. As for the soldiery, the enclosed petty piece will 
show what disposition they are in, which was some time after 
my arrival taken off the fort gate.^ I have made strict inquiry 
for the author, but without effect. I apprehended this dispo- 
sition has been encouraged by part of Colonel Rawlings' regi- 
ment being detained here long after orders had arrived for 
their being sent off to Annapolis. They were not sent at all, 
but broke off', marched down in a body to the governor, who, 
it is said, received them kindly, without even a rebuke; which, 
under their circumstances, was probably right, as they were 
doubtless in a most miserable situation; the cause of which 
should, in my opinion, be enquired into, as the tendency and 
evil effects are evident. For whether they were received or 
not in the manner above, the report among the troops here is 
so, and they believe it.^ 

I need not urge the necessity there is for at least some 
months' pay being sent to the troops here, as your honorable 
board must be well convinced of the propriety of the whole 
army being on the same footing as near as possible. Indeed, 
if practicable, those here should be relieved, particularly the 
Pennsylvanians; as they are only a detachment. I wish 
Colonel Gibson's regiment could be filled up and another sent 

'This "petty piece " not found. 

'"The Maryland corps [part of Rawlings' regiment] is at present stationed 
upon the frontier of Westmoreland, but it appears by recent information, that 
they are determined to march t^ Maryland to apply for clothing, of which 
they are quite destitute." — Col. Daniel Brodhead to Pres't Reed, from Fort 
Pitt, Aug. 23, 1781. 

"The Marylanders have in a body deserted from their posts on the frontier 
of Westmoreland county and marched to the other side of the mountains." — 
Same to same, August 29, 1781. 



Appendix B. 165 

to relieve the Pennsylvania detachment in the spring. They 
never will be good for much, as long as tbey remain here. 
As for Colonel Gibson, I think he should continue as long 
as troops are kept in the district. No man knows this coun- 
try better, nor any man, I believe, the Indian country so well. 



IV. — Irvine to the Board of War. 

Fort Pitt, December 14, 1781. 

Gentlemen: — Since I closed my letter of yesterday, Mr. 
Duncan, one of the contractors, has been with me, and reports 
that he has been deceived and disappointed by several persons, 
who engaged to procure flour for him; that he has not now an 
ounce on hand; and that as the river will in all probability 
freeze this night, the transportation of about six thousand 
weight he has at Redstone [now Brownsville, Pa.] will be 
impracticable; — that if Mr. Huffnagle, the principal con- 
tractor, does not soon come up, or send an immediate supply 
of cash, he will not be able to go on with the business, even 
for the time he promised in his letter to me on the subject, a 
copy of which I enclosed to you the 2d instant. I am obliged 
to give entire credit to his report. Colonel Gibson's and my 
private credit hath already procured a considerable quantity 
of flour for them. We borrowed about enough this morning 
for three days, which is the last I know of can be obtained in 
the same way. 

I am sorry to be under the necessity orl giving your honor- 
able board so much trouble in a business which you had 
reason to think you had now done with. Yet I think it 
incumbent on me to give you the earliest and best accounts in 
my power, that you may not be unapprised of what is too 
likely to be the consequence. I really fear the few troops 
that are here must disband; and I would not feel so unhappy 
under this apprehension if I foresaw a possibility of saving 
the stores, — by saving them I mean a mode of conveying 
them into a more interior part of the country. Perhaps mat- 
ters may take a more favorable turn than I imagine. I can 
only promise that every exertion and expedient in my power 
shall be made use of. 



166 Washington- Irvine Correspondence. 



Y. — Major General Benjamin Lincoln ^ to Irvine. 

"War Office, Philadelphia, December 21, 1781. 

Dear Sir: — I have considered the several matters contained 
in your letter of December 3, and return you my thanks for 
the different arrangements you have made at your post, all 
which I entirely approve of. With regard to Mr. Fowler, the 
auditor of accounts, I cannot see the least necessity for his 
services and shall therefore send him the order you desire. 
The commander-in-chief will write you on the subject of re- 
moving your post or not, that business having been referred 
to him by congress. I am sorry to observe that any difficulties 
have arisen in supplying you with provision. I have con- 
sulted Mr. [Robert] Morris [superintendent of finance] on the 
subject and he has promised that it shall be remedied and that 
a supply of cash shall be sent on to you. 

With respect to the four Pennsylvania officers, it gives me 
pain that any deserving officers should be excluded from the 
service, but I see no possibility of their being again admitted 
into the line, as you must know the state has already a pro- 
portion of officers double to that of the troops; nor do I see 
the necessity of a special resolution in their favor. They 
must naturally fall in with the rest of the supernumerary of- 
ficers. I see no reason why they should not be entitled to 
every emolument allowed them as well as to full pay for the 
whole time they may remain in actual service. I will give 
the necessary orders for their being relieved as soon as pos- 
sible. 

When Mr. Morris shall have sent yon the money, every dif- 
ficulty with respect to forage will be obviated. It has been 
thought proper to abolish all stationary express riders; if, 
therefore, you have occasion for one, you must procure a man 
and furnish him with money out of the supply which will be 
sent you. 

' Secretary at war. 



Appendix B. 167 



YI. — Lincoln to Irvine. 

War Office, December 26, 1781. 

Dear General: — I enclose you a copy of the orders regulat- 
ing the issues of provision at the several posts supplied by 
contract. 

You will please to observe that after the 1st of January, the 
officers are not to draw any rations, but are to pay for such 
articles as they draw from the contractors at the same rates as 
the troops are supplied; and to enable them to do this, they 
will be paid their subsistence money. However, as the officers 
are not yet furnished with the money, they must settle their 
accounts with the contractors at the end of the month and 
pass proper receipts, to entitle them to receive pay from Mr. 
Morris. 

Mr. Michael Huffnagle, the contractor for your post, will 
deliver you this and will also deliver you one hundred printed 
victualing returns. 

I would wish to furnish you with a copy of the contract, but 
really a multiplicity of business prevents it. I must therefore 
take the liberty of referring you to Mr. Huffnagle for a copy, 
and must also refer him to you for a copy of the inclosed 
orders. • 

YII. — Lincoln to Irvine. 

"War Office, January [1782].^ 
Sir: — I have before me your letter of the 13th ultimo men- 
tioning the great necessity the officers at Fort Pitt are in for 
want of money and clothing. 

It is a distressing circumstance that it is not now in the 
power of the United States to pay the army; but it is as true 
as it is unfortunate. We have, however, better times in view. 
The states are doing every thing in their power to make the 
situation of the army easy. Matters are reducing to a system. 
All partial payments are at an end, and the financier hopes 
before long to make a payment to the whole army. In the 

' The date, except the month, is torn off the original. 



IGS Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

meantime it becomes the duty of every officer to study don- 
tentment himself and endeavor to cultivate the same temper 
among the soldier}- ; for unless this is done, we may in this 
last stage of the war, when every thing wears the face of suc- 
cess, do an act which will render every exertion ineffectual. 

The soldiers will be fully clothed; and this should quiet 
them for a little time. Some clothing will also be sent up for 
the officers sufficient to furnish each with a suit, for which 
they will be charged, and they may be assured that in future 
the smallest and most distant post occupied by the United 
States will have the same attention paid them as the rest of 
the army. 

YIII. — Irvine to Lincoln. 

Carlisle, March 17, 1782. 

Sir: — I will set out from this place for Fort Pitt to-morrow 
morning. As I had the commander-in-chief's orders to pay 
some attention to the recruits and troops of the Pennsylvania 
line at this post, beg to inform you that they are without 
clothing and arms. The clothing I believe is preparing for 
them; but to fit them for marching, I think arms and accou- 
trements should be immediately sent on here. However, as 
this is only a matter of opinion, I submit it to you, I believe 
the general intends they shall march under Colonel itichard 
Butler, to join the southern army, except a proportion of the 
recruits [who are to march] to Fort Pitt, I have written on 
this subject to his excellency by his command.-^ 

P. S. — The numbers, when all are collected, will I think 
amount to about three hundred rank and tile. 



IX. — Irvine to Lincoln. 

Fort Pitt, April 30, 1782. 
Sir: — I wrote you some days since by a certain Montour, 
captain of Delaware Indians;- I did not like to explain by him 
my reasons for sending him. 

' See Irvine to Washington, March 17, 1782, ante, page 96. 

^ The letter of Irvine has not been found. The "John Montour" he speaks 



Appendix B. 169 

He seemed anxious to be either employed^ or to go witli liis 
wife into tlie Indian country for a place of safety, as he termed 
it. The fact is I was suspicions of liis fidelity; but he is so 
cunning that no hold could be laid on him. Tliis, howev^er, is 
the worst place he could possibly be in, if he meant to go off, 
being perfectly acquainted with all the Indian country and at 
Detroit. He M^as in the British interest and service before he 
joined us. I suppose the best way to manage him will be to 
amuse him with expectation of being employed in service; 
or, perhaps, he might render service joined with the Oneidas. 
You will be better able to judge how he should be disposed 
of, when you see and converse with him. It must have been 
very ill-judged to give such fellow a commission.' 

of was a son of Andrew Montour, a half-blood Indian, and a man of infor- 
mation and education, but a great savage. His father, whose Indian name was 
Sattelihu, was the oldest son of Madame Montour, a French-Canadian woman, 
and Robert Hunter, an Oneida chief. Andrew was a captain of a company 
of Indians in the English service in the Old French War, and rose to be a 
major. John had a captain's commission at date of the above letter. 

'The following will give an idea how he desired to be employed: 

'■ To the most excellent James [William] Irvine, brigadier general com- 
manding the western department and Fort Pitt, etc. : 

" The petition of us, the subscribers, humbly showeth to your excellency 
that we want revenge upon the savages for the injury they have done unto 
our brother soldiers here of late; and if your excellency will grant us, your 
petitioners, privilege to go into the Indian country, we shall endeavor to 
acquire as many scalps from our enemy and make such discoveries as can be 
made ; which we think we are capable of going through with. Now, through 
your excellency's grace and usual goodness, we hope to have our request 
granted. 

" Pittsburgh, April 13, 1782. [Signed.] John Montour, captain. Lewis 
Williams, James Clarke, William Warton, Joseph Coleman, John Gladwin, — 
soldiers belonging to the Pennsylvania line. N. B. — To be supplied with 
ammunition sufficient." 

''The following is the order issued by Irvine to Montour, sending him to the 
secretary at war : 

" Sir: — The desire you express to serve with the northern army, and other 
reasons, induce me to grant your request. You will, therefore, proceed to 
Philadelphia with all possible dispatch, where you will wait on the secretary 
at war tor orders. Given under my hand at Fort Pitt, April 16, 1782. 

"Wm. Irvine, B. Gen'l." 



170 WasJiington-lrvine C orrespondence. 



X. — Irvine to Lincoln. 

Fort Pitt, 3[ay 2, 1T82. 
Si7\' — I do myself the honor to inclose you Lieutenant 
Colonel Wnibert's report to me of the situation and circum- 
stances of this post, the ground, houses around it, etc., in 
whi ch he has not discovered any thing but what I was before 
well acquainted with.^ The officer who preceded me in com- 
mand had great contention respecting his occupying some 
houses, particularly Major Ward's,* who brought a civil action 
acrainst him, and several others brought tedious suits.~ This 



* I believe no person has obtained a legal right for the 
orchard. It is part of what is called a proprietary manor, the 
property of Mr. Penn. But when Lord Dunmore took into 
his head to extend Yirginia to this place, Ward and others 
might probably have obtained grants from him. As it is now 
well known to be in the state of Pennsylvania, I suppose his 
grants are not worth a farthing. Be this as it may, I have no 
right to determine anything respecting the claimants of pri- 
vate property, as twenty others claim it as well as AYard. 

'This report has not been found. As to its author, see p. 34; also, 
Appendix M, — Wuibert to Irvine, no date. 

- Major Edward Ward was the person spoken of. He was a half brother of 
Colonel George Croghan, and an old resident of Pittsburgh. The officer re- 
ferred to by Irvine as his (Irvine's) predecessor who had " great contention " 
with Ward, was Colonel Daniel Brodhead. The following extract from a 
letter written by the latter, dated at Fort Pitt, October 28, 1781, throws light 
upon these "contentions:" 

" On the 27th of June, 1779, I did myself the honor to address a letter to 
the honorable board of war, respecting the range of this and neighboring 
garrisons; and, on the 23d of July following, the United States, in congress 
assembled, passed an act regulating the manner of taking it, and satisfying 
the persons interested, etc. 

'"Previous to my receiving this act of congress, I was honored with two 
letters from the board of war, directing me to act, in this case, according to 
custom and usage. In consequence, I ordered some of the troops to be posted 
in a house occupied by Messrs. [Edward] Ward and [Thomas] Smallman, and 
for so doing, process from the court of Yohogania [county. Va. ; which court 
and county afterward became extinct] was immediately issued against me. 

"On the 27tli of February, 1780, 1 informed the honorable board of war by 



Appendix B. 171 

same Ward claims what was formerly called the King's Or- 
chard, which lies immediately adjoining and encircles three 
bastions of the fort. This I have enclosed with a slight fence 
and use it as a pasture for the public and officers' horses. 
This man is teasing rae to promise him a certain rent, which 
I can not with propriety do.^ 

letter, of the proceedings of that court; and, on the 18th of April following, 
congress passed an act declaratory of the intention of that honorable body to 
support me in the execution of my duty at this post. This last act was shown 
to the court of Yohogauia, and I expected their proceedings would close 
against me. But I have since seen their record, whereby it appears that they 
proceeded to judgment, and awarded damages, etc., but no writ of outlawry 
has been issued, although I did persevere to deny their jurisdiction. 

" The court of Westmoreland has now taken up this matter, and many 
actions are commenced against me for trespasses, etc., for having presumed to 
act agreeable to my instructions and my conscience, because the legislature 
of Pennsylvania has not, in compliance with the act of congress, passed a 
law in favor, or agreeable to their recommendation; and lately an inquisition 
was held, to turn me out of my quarters, on a suggestion of a forcible entry 
and detainer, whereby I have been under the necessity of attending Hannas- 
town court; and otherwise considerable expenses have accrued and costs have 
been awarded." 

' From the following certificates, it seems that Ward was desirous to save 
all his legal rights, whatever they might be, and that Irvine was disposed to 
gratify him in that particular: 

[I.] 

"This is to certify whom it may concern that about thirty-four acres of 
ground adjoining Fort Pitt, formerly called the King's Orchard and Gardens, are 
occupied and inclosed for the use of the garrison; and that I prevented Major 
Edward Ward and other claimants from erecting buildings or making any 
kind of improvements thereon. Given under my hand at Fort Pitt, August 
3, 1782. Wm. Irvine, B. Gen'l." 

[II.] 

" Fort Pitt, June 9, 1783. 

" I do certify that the orchard and gardens formerly called the King's, con- 
taining about forty aci'es and one hundred apple trees, have been enclosed and 
occupied for public use during my command at this post; and that I prevented 
Major Ward and others, who lay claims to it as private property, from erect- 
ing buildings or making any kind of improvements theieon, name]}': from 
NovemVjer, 1781, to this date. Wm. Irvine, B. Gen'l." 

In 1777, Ward's deposition was taken at Pittsburgh, a part of which was 
in these words: "The deponent further saith that upon the evacuation of 
Fort Duquesne, by the French, on the approach of the British army. General 
Forbes, by one of the deputy agents of Indian alFairs, made request to the 



17'2 Washimjton-Irvine C orrespondence. 



As to the houses, I have not yet palled an}"- of them down, 
but mean in case of any intellif^ence of the approach of an 
enemy to set fire to them. Ward's is an old wooden building, 
which was formerly a redoubt, but has been carried from the 
place it formerly stood on, and now built house-fashion. It is 
not worth much though he sets a high value on it. Irwin's 
house was also a redoubt, but it is now environed by the other 
houses of the town of Pittsburgh. It is certain that if it is 
meant to occupy this place any length of time (as would ap- 
pear the intention by the commander-in-chief and your orders 
to me), that these houses and several other obstructions should 
be instantly removed. In case of emergency, I will not hesi- 
tate a moment to do it, but these people think it hard to 
have it done as long as they are not apprehensive of dan- 
ger. I assure you, sir, this is a ver}^ troublesome com- 
mand, sufficiently so without being obliged to quarrel with 
the inhabitants. I could wish you would take these points 
into consideration and instruct me respecting them. 

If any troops should be sent to this quarter or any excursion 
made, some few tents, at least bell tents, would be necessary. 
I did not make any demand of this article from the quarter- 
master general, as I at that time thought them unnecessary 
for garrison duty. The few troops here are the most licen- 
tious men and worst behaved I ever saw, owing, I presume, in 
a great measure, to their not being hitherto kept under any 
subordination, or tolerable degree of discipline. I will try 
what effect a few prompt and exemplary punishments will 
have. Two are now under sentence and shall be executed to- 
morrow.^ They not only disobej^ed their officer (who com- 

chiefs of the Six Nations for permission to re-establish a fort at the same 
place, for tlie purpose aforesaid, and to prevent the French from returning', 
which was granted. A fort was built and garrisoned [Fort Pitt], which con- 
tinued in possession of the British troops till the year 1772, when it was evac- 
uated by them and taken possession of by deponent, who occupied the same 
till taken possession of by Captain John Conolly, in 1774, with the Virginia 
militia." 

'John Phillips and Thomas Steed. The former, it will be remembered, was 
pardoned by Irvine. 

As a matter of interest to the Masonic Fraternity in the West, and to 



Appendix B. 173 

manded at Fort Mcintosh), bnt actually struck hiin, and it is 
supposed would have killed him, had he not been rescued bj 
two other soldiers. 



XI. — Lincoln to Irvine. 

War Office, May 15, 1782. 

Si7\' — I have been honored with your letters of the 30th 
ultimo and of the 2d and 3d instant. I am fully in opinion 
with you that no promise of rent could be made under the 
present state of the title to the orchard, so called. Nor do I 
think you should hesitate one moment whenever it becomes 
expedient to take down the old buildings. Should a move- 
ment in your quarter be thought on, every necessary will be 
forwarded. Prompt and exemplary punishment will, I am 
persuaded, soon restore that discipline which ill-timed lenity 
ever subverts. 

As the officers you mention have long since been deranged ^ 
and have for some time past quitted actual service, it would be 
best they should settle all their accounts with the public at the 
same time. I dare not assure them that money can be ad- 
vanced, but I will endeavor that on a settlement equal justice 
shall be done them with other officers in similar circum- 
stances. 

Congress havino- determined to reduce the number of offi- 
cers to the absolute necessities of service, Mr. Farrell, deputy 
conductor of military stores at your post, can no longer be 

show that Irvine was disposed to treat kindly the soldiers who behaved well, it 
may be mentioned that on the 15th of the previous month, the following of- 
ficers under his command sent Gen. Irvine a petition, which was granted, 
asking the privilege of secretly meeting together as a most ancient society, the 
first and third Monday evenings in every month, except on occasions of 
emergency: J. H. Lee, sergeant major. Pa. detachment; Thomas Wood, 
sergeant major, 7th Virginia regiment; Simon Fletcher, quartermaster's ser- 
geant. Pa. detachment; William Semple, sergeant; John Harris, corporal; 
Matthew Font, sergeant; Michael Hanley ; Matthew McAfee, corporal; John 
Hutchison; Martin Sheridan; John Kean; J. Williams, sergeant 7th Va. 
regiment. 

' The writer's meaning is, that they did not come in under a certain new 
arrangement. 



llli- Washington-Irvine C orresjpondcnce. 

retained in service. You will please, upon the receipt of this 
letter, to inform him thereof and desire him to prepare the 
whole of his accounts for settlement. 

You will please to direct the commanding officer of jonr 
artillery ^ to take charge of all the military stores, which is cer- 
tainly a part of his duty. Such assistance as he may want 
must be afforded by some of the other officers, of whom I 
observe there is a great proportion to the number of men at 
the post. 

XII. — Lincoln to Irvine. 

War Office, May 30, 1782. 
Dear Sir: — It seems to be the wish of congress that the 
Indians mentioned in your letter to General Washington,- an 
extract of which has been laid before them,^ should be kept at 
Fort Pitt; as they can there be supplied as cheap as anj' M^here 
else, unless they reside within the limits of some contract. 
They also wish that the soldiers might be employed in assist- 
ing to build huts for the Indians. If huts cannot be built, 
and the state of the garrison is such that they cannot be kept 
longer under cover of it, I wish to have your opinion how they 
can be removed; — to know their number, ages, sex, and ability 
to travel; whether they can travel without wagons; if not, 
where they can be obtained, what number will be necessary, 
and how a guard can be furnished. On your report will rest 
the final determination of this matter. 



XIII. — Irvine to Lincoln. 

Fort Pitt, July 1, 1782. 

Dear Sir: — My letter of the 16th of June informed yoa 

of the defeat of a body of volunteer militia who went against 

Sandusky [under Gol. Wm. Crawford], That disaster has 

not abated the ardor or desire for revenge (as they term it) of 

' Major Isaac Craig. 

"" See Irvine to Washington, 20 April, 1782, ante, pp. 104-106, 

^ That is, before congress. 



Ajpjpendix B. 175 

these people. A number of the most respectable are urging 
me strenuously to take command of them, and add as many 
continental officers and soldiers as can be spared; particularly 
the former, as they attribute the defeat to the want of experi- 
ence in their officers. They cannot, nor will not, rest under 
any plan on the defensive, however well executed; and think 
their only safety depends on the total destruction of all the 
Indian settlements within two hundred miles; this, it is true, 
they are taught by dear-bought experience. 

The}'' propose to raise by subscription, six or seven hundred 
men- — ^ provision for thetn for forty days, and horses to carry 
it, clear of expense to the public, unless government, at its 
own time, shall think proper to reimburse them. The 1st of 
August is the time they talk of assembling, if I think proper 
to encourage them. I am, by no means, fond of such com- 
mands, nor am I sanguine in my expectations; but rather 
doubtful of the consequences; — and yet absolutely to refuse 
having anything to do with them, when their proposals are so 
generous and seemingly spirited, I conceive would not do well 
either; especially, as people generally, particularly in this 
quarter, are subject to be clamorous, and charge continental 
officers with want of zeal, activity, and inclination of doing 
the needful for their protection. 

I have declined giving them an immediate, direct answer, 
and have informed them that my going depends on circum- 
stances; and, in the meantime, I have called for returns of 
men who may be depended on to go, the subscription of pro- 
visions, and horses. The distance to headquarters is so great 
that it is uncertain whether an express could return in time 
with the commander-in-chief's instructions. As you must 
know whether any movements will take place in this quarter, — 
or if you are of the opinion it would, on any account, be 
improper for me to leave the post, I request you would write 
me by express. But, if no answer arrives before, or about the 
1st of Augrtst, I will take for granted you have no objection, 
and that I may act discretionall}'. 

Should it be judged expedient for me to go, the greatest 
number of regular troops fit to march will not exceed one 



176 Washington-Irvine C orresjyondence. 

hundred. Tlie militia are pressing that I shall take all the 
continentals along and leave the defense of the post to them; 
but this I shall by no means do. If circumstances seem to 
require it, I shall throw in a few militia with the regulars 
left — but under continental officers. 

P. S. — The sooner I am favored with your ideas on the sub- 
ject the better, particularly if you have objections to the plan ; 
as, in that case, I would not give the people the trouble to 
assemble. 



XIV. — Lincoln to Irvine. 

Wae Office, Jiily 10, 1782. 

Dear Sir: — I have been honored with your favor of the 
21st of May and lOtli of June. There are no resolves of con- 
gress relative to your post. Should there be any or such as 
your troops are interested in, I will forward them. 

I would send for your amusement some resolves, but my as- 
sistant and secretary are both sick and absent from office. 



XY. — Irvine to Lincoln, 

Fort Pitt, Juhj 16, 1782. 
Sir: — This moment I have received an account that Han- 
nastown,^ the county town of "Westmoreland, was burned last 

' " By provision of the act [erecting the county of Westmoreland] the 
courts were to be held at the house of Robert Hanna till a court house should 
be built. Hanna's settlement was on the old Forbes road, about thirty miles 
east of Pittsburgh, and about three miles northeast of the present county 
town, Greensburg. Robert Hanna, a north-county Irishman, had early opened 
a public house here, and near him had soon been commenced a settlement 
prosperous for those times. If we except the region immediately contiguous 
to Fort Ligonicr, and the region about the forks of the Ohio [Pittsburgh], the 
settlement about Hanna's was, at this date [177?>], the most flourishing in 
the county. After the courts had been appointed for here, the place was 
further stimulated. It was the first collection of houses between Bedford and 
Pittsburgh dignified with the name of town. It, at no time, contained more 
than perhaps thirty log cabins, built after the primitive fashion of those days, 
of one story and a cock-loft, in height, with clap-board roofs, and a huge mud 
chimney at one end of each cabin. These, scattered along the narrow pack- 



A]p])endix B. 177 

Saturday afternoon bj a large body of Indians, some say three 
hundred, others only one, with some mounted.^ That place is 
about thirty-five miles in the rear of Fort Pitt, on the main 
road leading to Philadelphia, generally called the Pennsyl- 
vania [Forbes] road. The Virginia [Braddock's] road is yet 
open, but how long it will continue so is uncertain, as this 
stroke has alarmed the whole country beyond conception. 
Should the country be evacuated on the south side of me, I 
know not what the consequence will be, having no magazine 
of provision, indeed barely supplied from day to day. I can- 
not at present write more particularly, as I am not yet certain 
whether the enemy are not in force in the neighborhood. I 
have sundry reconnoitering parties out, but the bearer, a Mr. 
Elliott, who promises to forward this from Lancaster county, 
where he lives, could not be prevailed on to wait their return. 



XYI. — Lincoln to Irvine. 

War Office, July 24, 1782. 

Dear Sir: — I have been honored with your two letters of 
the 1st and one of the 5th instant.^ Your letter of the 1st, in 
which you speak of a proposed expedition to Sandusky, met 
General Washington here. Immediately on the receipt of it, 
I conversed with the general on the subject of the expedition — 
at that moment there was a rumor that Charleston was evac- 
uated; this induced the general to suspend giving his opinion 
on the matter until it could be ascertained whether Charleston 
was evacuated or not. If it had been, he would have ordered 
the troops at Carlisle to your assistance, under Colonel [Rich- 
horse track among the monster trees of the ancient forest, was that Hannas- 
town, which occupied such a prominent place in the early history of Western 
Pennsylvania, where was held the first court west of the Alleghany [moun- 
tains, and] where the resolves of May 16, 1775 [in opposition to the tyrannical 
acts of Great Britain], were passed." — G. Dallas Albert, in Dr. Wm. H. 
Egle's History of Pennsylvania, pp. 1153, 1154. 

' Ante, p. 140, note; see, also, Appendix G, — Irvine to Moore, same date 
as the above letter. 

^ Only one of Irvine's letters here refeiTcd to, that of the 1st of July, 1782, 
has been found. (Ante, page 174.) 
12 



178 WasJdngton-Irvine Correspondence. 

ard] Butler. He has since little or no reason to suppose the 
report true; he, therefore, yesterday determined not to send 
those men from Carlisle, lest they should be called for by 
General [Nathaniel] Greene. 

It is impossible for me at this distance, and with my present 
information to judge of the propriety of your proceeding or 
not; yonr own judgment must determine you when all cir- 
cumstances are combined. If you should succeed it will be a 
pretty stroke indeed. 

I have only to add, if your movements are such as can be 
justified on military principles (I presume you would not at- 
tempt a movement upon any others, however strongly urged 
by those who wish the expedition to go forward at every haz- 
ard), whether you succeed or not, you will be justified by all 
good men. 

XYII. — Ikvine to Lincoln. 

FoET Pitt, July 25, 1783. 

Sir: — The incursions of the Indians on the frontier of this 
country will unavoidably prevent the militia from assembling 
so soon as the 1st of August. Indeed, I begin to entertain 
doubts of their being able to raise and equip the proposed 
number this season; however, I am requested to meet all the 
militia officers on this subject the first of August, when the 
business will doubtless be determined on or given up for 
the present. 

I have written to [John Moylan] the clothier-general and 
sent him accurate returns of the clothing received and issued 
at this post since my arrival, and also articles remaining on 
hand, together wnth an exact estimate of what will be indis- 
pensably necessary this fall; — linen overalls and other sum- 
mer clothing which were promised to be forwarded have been 
entirely neglected, which has been attended with many incon- 
veniences and evil consequences. Two hundred regimental 
suits came up last November. Circumstances rendered it 
proper to deliver them at that time, which I believe was much 
earlier in the season than the main army received theirs; add 



AiJi^endix B. 179 



to this they were quite too small and of a bad quality, — they 
are now entirely worn out; so that if the clothier-general 
should not think of sending our proportion early in the fall 
and any accident should prevent their arrival before winter sets 
in, the men will absolutely perish; particularly as transporta- 
tion is so tedious to this place, and in winter impracticable. 

These are the reasons I give yon this trouble; as I appre- 
hend some neglect or mistake may happen without your direc- 
tion. Two hundred suits, with some shirts and shoes, would 
be sufficient with those on hand. 

Enclosed is a return of the friendly Delaware Indians at 
this post. About a dozen pack-horses would be enough to 
transport their children and baggage, which is not heavy at 
present;— they are entirely naked, poor wretches! But as to 
a guard, I know not how that is to be obtained. In the dis- 
position of mind the people are now in, five hundred men 
would not guard them over the mountains; so I presume they 
are likely to remain where they are as long as the populace 
choose to let them live. I assure you they are troublesome 
company for a commanding officer. !No reasoning can per- 
suade the people of this country, but that an officer who will 
protect an Indian at all, on any account or pretence, must be a 
bad man. However, this shall by no means deter me from 
protecting them as long as it is the pleasure of congress it 
shall be done. If they are to remain here, I beg you will di- 
rect some winter clothing sent for them. They are perpet- 
ually teasing rae; indeed, it is a shame to see them. 

The soldiery have been all summer kept close to duty and 
extreme hard fatigue in repairing the fort. So much is yet to 
be done that little of their time can be spared to build Indian 
huts. Upon the whole, I believe the best thing to be done, 
when the weather begins to set in cold, would be to set them 
into a piece of woodland, as near the fort as possible^ — let 
them keep guard for themselves, and give information if likely 
to be attacked. If you approve of this plan, I will execute it 
if possible. The reasons against keeping them in the garri- 
son are so numerous and evident that I need scarce trouble 
you with them [two of the principal, however, are their un- 



180 Wasliington-Irvine C oi'resjyondence. 

common filthiness, and that tbej would consume more fuel 
than all the garrison beside],* 



XYIII. — Lincoln to Irvine. 

"War Office, August 16, 1782. 
Sir: — Bj the enclosed resolves^ you will observe that con- 
gress are attentive to the satetj of your post. Such articles 
of military stores as you now want or may hereafter have oc- 
casion for, you will please to draw for on the store at Carlisle. 
If you should not find a sufficient supply there, I wish to have 
a particular return of such articles as are necessary to the se- 
curity of your post, and they shall be forwarded with all po&- 
siWe despatch. 

XIX. — Irvine to Lincoln. 

Fort Pitt, August 23, 1782. 

Sir: — I am honored with your favor of the 24th of July. 
I did expect to have gone on the excursion spoken of before 
this time, but a variety of accidents and obstructions have in- 
tervened. It is not yet entirely laid aside; the 10th Septem- 
ber is the day now appointed for the last efifort, 

I intended transmitting you returns of the militia ordered 
out by me for the defense of the frontier, but notwithstanding 
I have taken an infinity of pains to collect them, I have hith- 
erto found it impossible. Indeed, the detached situation they 

' The words in brackets are, in the original, attempted to be erased, but are 
legible. 

^ These resolves, which were passed on the 8th of August, were in the 
following words : 

" Besolved, That it be recommended to the states of Pennsylvania and 
Virginia immediately to draw out and order to Fort Pitt, each state one hun- 
dred and fifty men properly officered and accoutred, to be under the orders of 
the commanding officer of that post, to enable the said officer more effectually 
to cover and protect the country. 

" That the secretary at war and superintendent of finance take order that 
proper magazines bo laid up in the said post, which may enable the com- 
manding officer, in case the said post should be invested by the enemy, to 
render it tenable until relieved." 



Appendix B. 181 

are in renders it difficult for the officers to get them in; add 
to this, they are all to be taught how to make them, not hav- 
ing been formerly demanded. The requisition on Washington 
county was for one hundred and sixty; and on Westmoreland, 
sixty. The first has generally had about half the number out, 
and the latter nearly their full complement continually out. 
I hav^e studied economy scrupulously in every instance, and 
think the pains I have taken has had some effect. 



XX. — Lincoln to Irvine. 

War Office, September 2, 1782. 

Sir: — I have been honored with your favor of the 23d 
ultimo. Your state are planning two expeditions against the 
Indians. A committee is gone to General Washington to con- 
sult him on the subject and to solicit his aid. How far they 
will succeed I know not. I think it is probable something 
■will be done. 

I have ordered a quantity of ball to Carlisle. Powder we 
have there, and paper for cartridges. Should you want, you 
will direct your order there. Peace is talked of, — how far 
we may depend on it, I am quite at a loss to say. You will 
learn from the papers all the information we are possessed of. 



XXI. — Lincoln to Irvine. 

Philadelphia, September 7, 1782. 
Sir: — I have only time to mention to you that an expedi- 
tion is agreed on to Sandusky. You will be requested to com- 
mand it. It is proposed to send twelve hundred men made 
up as folio weth, viz.: 

To be detached from Fort Pitt 150 

Rangers of this state 60 

The militia ordered by congress to be raised by this state and the state 

of Virginia £00 

Part of Hazen's regiment ' 200 

Volunteers from your part of the counhy 490 

1,200 

' This regiment was stationed at Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 



182 Washingt07i-Irvine Correspondence. 

At the same time an attempt will be made against the Gen- 
esee towns ;^ nine hundred men will be sent there. The state 
[Pennsylvania] have borrowed money enough to execute these 
designs. You will hear more fully on the matter in a few 
days. I expect the two movements may be made by the eighth 
of October. 



XXII. — Ikvine to Lincoln. 

Fort Pitt, Septemher 12, 1782. 

Sir: — I received your favor of the 16th August and also 
letters from the governors of Virginia^ and Pennsylvania,^ ac- 
quainting me of the requisition of congress on each for one 
hundred and fifty men to be sent here, and their having ordered 
them accordingly. They have not yet arrived, and everything 
has been so quiet in this quarter since the beginning of Au- 
gust, and the season so far advanced, besides the difficulty 
of getting provision for them, that I now almost wish they 
may not come. 

But as I did not know what information you might have got 
of the enemy's intention against this post from some other 
quarter, I could not think myself at liberty positively to coun- 
termand their march.'' Immediately, however, on receipt of 
the governors' letters, I wrote them how matters stood liere.^ 
If they do come up, I shall not detain them longer than the 
exigency of affairs may require. 

' Villages and settlements of the Seneca Indians upon the Genesee river, in 
western New York. 

*See Appendix H, — Harrison to Irvine, August 21, 1782. 

* Not found. It was dated the 13th of August. See Appendix G, — Irvine 
to Moore, September 9, 1782. 

''The following is an extract from i\xe Pennsi/lvania Packet oi the 5th of 
September, 1782 (No. 933), under the Richmond (Va.) head of August 24th: 

"Certain accounts are . . . received of an expedition being intended 
against Fort Pitt by the British and their Indian allies. From the rigorous 
measures adopted by this state [Va.] and Pennsylvania, we have reason to hope 
their designs will be effectually counteracted and at the same time will con- 
vince the public of their real views in holding out the idea of peace." 

^See Appendix G, — Irvine to Moore, September 9, 1782; also Appendix 
H, — Irvine to Harrison, September 3, same year. 



Appendix B. 183 



XXilL — Irvine to Lincoln. 

Fort Pitt, September 12, 1782. 
Sir: — This^ will be handed to you by Mr, Perry, who in- 
forms me he has some intention to contract for supplying the 
troops at this post with provision. He has requested me to 
write you, more by way of introduction than a recommenda- 
tion, as he says he can obtain sufficient security for any en- 
gagements he may enter into. All I know of the man is that 
he is possessed of considerable property, and I believe has as 
much credit in this country as any other man. 



XXIY. — Lincoln to Irvine. 

War Office, September 14, 1782. 

Dear Sir: — Congress have agreed tliat the recruits of Penn- 
sylvania and part of Hazen's regiment shall be employed on the 
two expeditions undertaken by this state, which I mentioned 
to you in my last letter. Two hundred of General Hazen's 
will be sent to join you. The executive of this state^ informs 
me that they will order sixty of their rangers to Fort Pitt. 
I hope with those troops, those you can spare from the fort, 
the three hundred lately ordered to you by congress, and the 
volunteers of your country, you will have a respectable force; 
and that the expedition against Sandusky may be undertaken 
with rational hopes of success. 

The state are making every preparation for procuring a 
supply of horses and sacks for removing the flour and other 
necessary stores. The beeves will travel with the troops. The 
eighth of October is fixed on as the day for marching from 
the places of rendezvous, namely: Fort Pitt and Muncy at 
Wallace's place,^ on the west bank of the Susquehanna. I 

'The previous letter, on the back of which, in the original, a note was writ- 
ten introducing Mr. Perry, was inclosed in the above. It will be seen that 
their dates are the same. 

^ That is, of Pennsylvania; the continental war office being located in Phila- 
delphia. 

^ Now Muncy, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. 



ISJf, 'Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

have some reason to hope that General AVashington will order, 
at the same time, some troops up the Mohawk river. You 
will, I doubt not, be making every preparation in your power, 
the moment you get this information, I will forward some 
ammunition to Carlisle, where you may secure a supply. 



XXY. — Lincoln to Irvine. 

War Office, Septemler, 27, 1782. 
Dear Sir: — From late accounts forwarded by his excel- 
lency, General "Washington, we learn that the Indians are 
all called in;^ this has induced the resolution to lay aside the 
expeditions I mentioned to you in my last. 



XXVI. — Lincoln to Irvine. 

PHiLADELniiA, Octoher 30, 17S2. 

Dear Sir: — I have been honored with your private letter 
of the 8th instant. What number, or whether any of the 
general officers will retire, is yet uncertain; however, as you 
will have nearly one brigade in your sta'te, and as a general 
officer will probably be kept at Fort Pitt, I suppose both 
you and General Wayne will be continued in service, but this 
is mere private opinion. 

I know too well how little officers have received not to be 
fully convinced that you must have spent much of your pri- 
vate fortune; and my own experience has taught me what are 
the expenses of two families; but I conceive matters are in 
too unsettled a state for a'ou to think of removing your family 
at present. But I am of opinion you may with great safety 
visit your family as you propose; and it is probable that when 
you are at Carlisle, I shall have it in my power to write you 
more fully. 

' Ante, p. 135, note 2. 



Ajppendix B. 185 



XXYII. — Lincoln to Irvine . 

War Office, Octoher 30, 17S2. 

Sir: — I have been honored with your two favors of the 
Sth instant. I have written to General Greene that if he 
shonld think proper to retain any of the troops of this state 
[Pennsylvania] with him in South Carolina and not all of 
them, that he would select one complete regiment and officers 
to command it; and that the other officers and men should re- 
turn to this state. I cannot therefore fully arrange your line 
imtil I hear from General Greene. 

I think you may retain your present aid [Lieut. John Eose]. 
You Nvill do it until we know what is done by the General 
[Washington] with the main army. We are so exceedingly at 
a loss respecting the designs of the enemy, that I am not suf- 
ficiently informed to make any observations on the latter part 
of your letter. Before you receive this, you will know that 
the proposed expedition is laid aside — for that the Indians 
are called in. 



XXYIII. — Lincoln to Irvine, 

War Office, December 14, 1782. 
Sir: — I have been honored with your letter of the 28th of 
October. Before you receive this, the clothing will, I hope, 
have reached Fort Pitt. I expect we shall soon have it in our 
power to make the troops a handsome payment. An extract 
from your letter to me respecting the new settlers, was laid on 
the table of congress. The expedition mentioned in a former 
letter from you, will in my opinion be laid aside; as the pres- 
ent state of our finances forbid the prosecution of it. 



XXIX. — Irvine to Lincoln. 

Fort Pitt, January 1, 1783. 
Sir: — Confined to my room by a severe attack of the rheu- 
matism, it was not in my power to acknowledge sooner the 
receipt of your letters. I flattered myself with the hopes of 



186 WasJiington-Irvine Correspondence. 

obtaining before this time an answer to mj letter from his 
excellency, General Washington, and his leave to go down the 
country. But favored with your consent, I fear the state of 
my health will hardly permit me to venture on this journey 
before the month of February. I thinkit necessary to acquaint 
you of this circumstance, as your orders would not meet me 
in Carlisle at a time when you might expect it by the permis- 
sion asked and granted. 

As the present arrangement of the army might affect the 
officers of this garrison in such a manner as to reduce all three 
field officers here present, I must request you to order who- 
ever should supply their places to I'epair to this post before 
my departure from here. Besides different other reasons, it 
would be highly inconvenient and inadvisable, that the com- 
mand, in my absence, should devolve upon any body inferior 
to a field officer. The clothing destined for this garrison 
[should be received before the] season sets in severe; and the 
[destitute soldiers, in such a] situation, are much exposed to 
its [inclemency]. 



XXX. — Lincoln to Irvine.^ 

War Office, March 22, 1783. 

Dear Sir: — I was by Mr. Rose honored with the receipt of 
your favor of the 6th. I have communicated to him by way 
of answers to various questions he laid before me all I have to 
say of a public nature. Such is the present state of affairs, 
that I could not move for his promotion with any probability 
of success. Congress, at least many of them, are hourly look- 
ing for the arrival of the messenger of peace. 

Mr. Itose mentioned to me your wish to have my private 
sentiments respecting the removal of your family to Fort Pitt. 
Such a measure in the present state of things I think could not 
be advised ; for the moment there is peace, each state will, in my 
opinion, be left to keep up or not, as they shall judge proper, 
garrisons within themselves. Should this be the case, your 

' This letter was directed to General Irvine at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where 
he was then visiting his family, he having reached home the 4th. (See p. 53.) 



Appendix B. 187 

stay would not be long at that post as a continental officer. 
However, before the weather will permit yon taking this jour- 
ney with your family, we shall be freed probably from our 
present painful suspense. 



XXXI. — Irvine to Lincoln. 

Carlisle, April 16, 1783. 

Sir: — I have this day received letters by express from 
Lieutenant Colonel Bayard, the commanding ofhcer in my 
absence at Fort Pitt, informing me that the savages have lately 
killed and taken a number of families at nearly the same time 
in many different places of the country as well on the frontier 
of Yirginia as Pennsylvania.' Not less than seventeen per- 
sons are said to be killed and scalped in a small settlement on 
Wheeling creek. The whole number mentioned to be killed 
and taken exceeds thirty. 

I am of opinion that nothing short of a total extirpation of 
all the western tribes of Indians, or at least driving them over 
the Mississippi and the lakes, will insure peace. It is probable 
that congress will think proper to give some instructions 
under these circumstances. If they should, you will no doubt 
recollect that the terms of enlistment of the regular troops 
end with the British war. I also beg to inform you that the 
contract for supplying provisions being limited to the post of 
Fort Pitt, will not answer for covering the country even on 
the defensive plan. I could therefore wish your instructions 
on this head as soon as may be, if xaj return to that place is 
thought necessary, which, however, I will postpone till I receive 
your answer, unless his excellency's (General Washington's) 
letter, which I daily expect should direct my immediate 
return. 

My aid-de-camp told me you had no objection to my get- 
ting a non-commissioned officer and six dragoons with me. 
If I am to go up [to Pittsburgh], 1 hope you will please to 
order them to this place in time to set out with me. 

' See Appendix M, — Bayard to Irvine, 5 April, 1783. 



188 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 



XXXII. — Lincoln to Irvine. 

War Office, Maij 3, 1783. 
Sir: — Mr. [Ephraim] Douglass, who will have the honor 
of presenting this letter,^ is charged with a message to the 
Indian nations on the frontiers of the United States. You 
will be pleased to afford him every assistance which will con- 
tribute to render his mission speedy and effectual.^ 

' This letter was directed to Irvine at Fort Pitt although he was at Carlisle. 
However, he soon left for Pittsburgh, reaching their previous to the arrival of 
Douglass. 

^ On a report of the secretary at war of the United States to congress on 
the 1st of May, 1783, to whom had been referred a letter from President 
Dickinson of the supreme executive council of Pennsylviania to the delegates 
of that state, covering one from General Irvine to him on the continuation of 
Indian hostilities in the vicinity of Fort Pitt, that body 

''Resolved, That the secretary at war take the most effectual measures to in- 
form the several Indian nations, on the frontiers of the United States, that 
preliminary articles of peace have been agreed on, and hostilities have ceased 
with Great Britain, and to communicate to them that the forts within the 
United States, and in possession of the British troops, will speedily be evacu- 
ated; intimating also that the United States are disposed to enter into friendly 
treaty with the different tribes ; and to inform the hostile Indian nations, that 
unless they immediately cease all hostilities against the citizens of these states, 
and accept of these friendly proffers of peace, congress will take the most 
decided measures to compel them thereto. 

" Ordered, That the secretary at war transmit the proceedings of congress 
herein, with copies of President Dickinson's and General Irvine's letters, to 
the commander-in-chief and to the commissioners for Indian affairs in the 
northern department." 

The secretary at war appointed Ephraim Douglass, a prominent citizen of 
the western department, a resident of Westmoreland county (of that part 
which soon became Fayette), to visit the western tribes under the foregoing 
resolution; and issued to him early in May, 1783, proper instructions for his 
guidance in the performance of his duties. He also wrote the above letter to 
be presented to the officer commanding at Fort Pitt. For further information 
as to his visit, see Appendix M, — Douglass to Irvine, June 7 and July 6, 1783. 



Appendix B. 189 



XXXIII. — Lincoln to Irvine. 

Port Tobacco, June 23, 1783. 

Sir: — It is the pleasure of congress that furloughs^ should 
be offered to all the men engaged for the war with a propor- 
tion of officers. As the men who compose the gan-ison at 
Fort Pitt are men under this description, it becomes necessary 
they should be relieved. The officer [Captain Joseph Mar- 
bury] who will have the honor of delivering this letter com- 
mands a party who will take possession of the fort on your 
withdrawing the present garrison.^ I wish the gentleman who 
has the care of the military stores would continue his charge 
of them until farther orders. 

The men who belong to the line of Pennsylvania, you will 
please to order to Carlisle. Should any of your men live 
between Fort Pitt and Carlisle who wish to receive their fur- 
loughs before they arrive there, you will please to give them 
written ones. On their arrival at Carlisle they will find three 
months' pay in Morris's notes, payable in six months from 
their date. 

The men belonging to Yirginia you will please to order to 
Winchester unless any of them should incline to receive their 
furloughs before they arrive there. In that case, I wish they 
also might be indulged. On their arrival, they will receive 
the same pay as those of the line of Pennsylvania. 

' The following was the form of furloughs, or discharges, used at that period: 

These are to certify, that the bearer hereof, Jeremiah Barmon, soldier in 
the second Pennsylvunia regiment, having faithfully served the United States 
seven years and nine months, and being enlisted for the war, is hereby dis- 
charged from the American army. Given at Fort Pitt, September 30, 1783. 

Win. Irvine, B. Gen'l. 

Registered in the books of the regiment [in this case, of the detachment]. 
J. Crawford, lAeut. 3d Penn'a regiment, adjutant. 

[Fort Pitt, September 30,] 1783. 

The within [the above] certificate shall not avail the bearer as a discharge 
until the ratification of the definitive treaty of peace; previous to which 
time, and until proclamation thereof shall be made, he is to be considered on 
furlough. Wm. Irvine, B. Gen'l. 

' This letter was detained, causing Irvine a great deal of anxiety and 
trouble. 



190 Washington-Lrcine C orresjpondence . 



XXXIV. — Irvine to Lincoln. 

Fort Pitt, July 18, 1783. 

Sir: — A^arious reports respecting new arrangements of, and 
settlement witli the army, have reached this place; among 
others that all the troops for the war are conditionally dis- 
charged and have received four months' pay; though I do not 
mean to pay any regard to reports, j-et circumstances are so 
strong in favor of the trnth of some of them I begin to per- 
suade myself that your orders or dispatches to me have miscar- 
ried (nothing official has come to hand since my aid-de-camp 
left you in March, except a letter from his excellency, the 
commander-in-chief, dated the IGth April, directing me to 
return immediately to this post), as I cannot suppose you 
would omit at least advising me of such material changes. 

It may probably be necessary to acquaint you that such 
of the non-commissioned officers and privates as have a resi- 
dence in this country, expect a final settlement here; and it 
has been repeatedly indispensably so for me to assure them 
that they would be treated, in all respects, exactly as every part 
of the army. In this I not only looked on myself justifiable, 
but that a contrary conduct Avonld have been criminal, as it 
would have implied a doubt of the justice of congress or the 
states. 

Accounts in an obscure and indirect way of the late turbu- 
lency of the troops at Philadelphia have also arrived here, yet 
this garrison have hitherto continued in perfect subordination 
and good order, but I can scarce flatter myself they will long 
remain quiet after hearing all the rest of the army are at lib- 
erty. Under these circumstances without advice or orders, I 
presume you will conceive I must be not a little embarrassed, 
and that I naturally wish -for instructions as soon as possible. 

If a time cannot be fixed for final settlement, it will be very 
agreeable to me even to be able to assure the men when they 
will be settled M'ith, and what mode will be adopted for warn- 
ing them to assemble for this purpose, if it can be done with 
propriety. 

I am told it is determined to keep this post garrisoned on 



Appendix B. igi 

the peace establishment; if so, I presume a relief will soon 
arrive, and think it probable you will lefer the commanding 
officer to me for advice in particular cases, notwithstanding I 
conceive this will be my duty without any such reference. I 
entreat you to be so good as to be explicit in your instructions 
to myself, particularly respecting the time for me to >:^ive up 
the command of the post, 

I yet keep an officer and only ten men at I'ort Mcintosh, 
merely to take care of the works; a small garrison for this 
place of one hundred men canftot well afford any for that post. 
Pray, what is to be done in this case; is it to be demolished 
or left standing; or might it not be prudent to put a family 
or two in it, to save it from accidental or wanton destruction? 
It is on the west side of the Ohio, thirty miles down from this 
place, and the same distance advanced towards the Indian 
country. If it should happen that I cannot keep the regular 
troops together till I receive instructions, I intend calling in 
about thirty militia only in the present tranquil state, to guard 
the stores and post. In this last case, will it be proper for me 
to leave the place in charge of a careful captain till the new 
garrison arrives? These queries are more numerous and pro- 
lix than I could wish, but hope you will not think them un- 
necessary or irnproper. 

Scarcity of provisions laid me under a necessity of furlongh- 
ing most of the troops on the 1st instant for a few days, — 
which I continue in rotation. The person who does the con- 
tractor's business informs me he cannot long procure this 
small supply for want of money which he says his principals 
do not furnish him with. 

There is some cash subject to my orders, but not enough to 
pay the non-commissioned officers and privates one month, ex- 
clusive of officers, who are also distressed for subsistence, 
especially since the contractor cannot supply them with pro- 
vision. I have also indulged as many officers with leave of 
absence as could be spared, but this only serves such as have 
connections in this country, who are few. Ko officers of the 
Virginia line have ever been sent to relieve those who ought 



192 Washington-Irvine Corresjyondence. 

to have retired last January, which is peculiarly hard on those 
gentlemen. 

No Indian incursions have been made since the middle of 
Xay, then only in one instance. I have no accounts from Mr. 
Doi\c(lass or those with him with the flag since his departure. 
I therefore am of opinion he has been well received. I beg 
the favor of yon to direct either this letter, or a copy of it, to 
be transmitted to his excellency, General Washington. I 
would by no means give you this trouble, but for an appre- 
hension of m}'- directing a wrong route to him; some pretend 
to say he will soon be at the Bath in Yirginia.^ 



XXXV. — Lincoln to Irvine. 

War Office, August 4, 1783. 

Sir: — I have been favored with the receipt of your letter 
of the IStli ultimo. The letter which I had the honor to ad- 
dress to you on the 23d of June, by the officer [Capt. Joseph 
Marbury] commanding the detachment intending to take pos- 
session of Fort Pitt when your garrison should retire, would 
inform you of the arrangements which were taken in pursu- 
ance of the resolves of congress directing the troops enlisted 
for the war to be furloughed.^ 

The accounts of the army are committed to the paymaster 
general for settlement, who is vested with special powers for 
this purpose. You will be informed, I presume, bj^ that offi- 
cer, or by the commanding officer of your line, in what man- 
ner the accounts are to be made up and finally adjusted. 

Your expedient of granting furloughs in routine to econo- 
mize provision was perfectly prudent and proper. 

' This letter is given as copied by Irvine. It is differently arranged from 
the original, though the substance is the same. 

'^ These resolutions passed congress May 26 and June 11, 1783. Tliey in- 
structed the commander-in-chief to grant furloughs to the non-commissioned 
officers and soldiers in the service of the United States, enlisted to serve dur- 
ing the war, vi^ho were to be discharged as soon as the " definitive " treaty of 
peace was concluded, together with a proportionable number of commissioned 
officers of the different grades. 



A^jpendix B. 193 

As the peace establishment is not yet resolved on, it is im- 
possible to say what will be done with Fort Mcintosh ; although 
I do not conceive it will be continued as a garrison. Tour 
proposition of permitting a family to reside there will, I 
think, answer the purpose of preventing accidental injury to 
the works and have future good consequences should circum- 
stances render it necessary-to re-occupy the post. 

Should you apprehend any risk from an incomplete or, 
rather, an insufficient garrison being left at Fort Pitt, yon will 
be pleased to carry your intentions respecting a call of thirty 
militia into effect until a re-enforcement arrives. 

The commander-in-chief is expected to visit congress soon. 
Your letter will be shown to him when he arrives. 



XXXYI. — Irvine to Lincoln. 

Fort Pitt, August IT, 1783. 

Sir: — Enclosed are returns of the stores at this post.^ They 
are well-assorted, packed, and safely stored in such a manner 
as to give little trouble to whatever officer may have them in 
charge hereafter. I suppose there will be little alteration be- 
fore my departure, as the expenditures have been very trifling 
for many months past. I intend taking receipts for the whole 
from my successor, which I will transmit to the war office. 

Nothing remarkable has occurred since my letters of the 
18th July and 4th of August,'^ except that great numbers of 
men have crossed the Ohio, and have made actual settlements 
in different })laces from the Muskingum to the Wabash. This 
will, in all probability, renew the Indian war.^ 

' These "returns " not found. 

^ The letter of Aug. 4, 1783, has not been found. 

'The crossing over of inhabitants of the west to the Indian side of 
the Ohio, to form settlements, commenced some time before; but as the Del- 
awares had not yet become, as a nation, hostile to the United States, the Fort 
Pitt commander. Col. Daniel Brodhead, in order to preserve peace with that 
tribe (as they claimed the lands adjoining the Ohio), determined to drive off 
the intruders. His action is best described in his own words : 

" I received a letter [ou the 9th of October, 17791 from Col. Shepherd, Heu- 
13 



19Jf. Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

I anxiously wish to be relieved, particularly as I conceive 
mj continuance here, under present circumstances (at least as 
far as has come to my knowledge), can be of little or no use to 
the public. 

P. S. — The Yirginians were paid when discharged, one 
month in specie, with three in notes; as the cash in my hands 
will not reach to pay the Pennsylvanians exclusive of the offi- 
cers' subsistence, I hope an addition in specie will be sent with 
the notes; both of which, as well as discharges, the men are 

tenant of Ohio county [Virginia], informing me that a certain Decker, Cox 
and company, with others [all from Yohogania and Ohio counties], had crossed 
the Ohio river and committed trespasses on the Indians' lands, wherefore 1 
ordered sixty rank and file to be equipped, and Captain Clark of the 8th Penn- 
sylvania regiment proceeded with his party to Wheeling, with orders to cross 
that river and to apprehend some of the principal trespassers and destroy their 
huts. He returned without finding any of the trespassers, but destroyed some 
huts. He writes me the inhabitants have made small improvements all the 
way from the Muskingum river to Fort Mcintosh and thirty miles up some 
of the branches. I sent a runner to the Delaware council, at Coshocton 
[site of the present town of that name], to inform them of the trespass and 
assure them it was committed by some foolish people, and requested them to 
rely on my doing them justice and punishing the offenders, but as yet have 
not received an answer." — Brodhead to Washington, from Pittsburgh, Octo- 
ber 26, 1779. 

The emigration across the Ohio made little headway until after the Dela- 
wares were driven fi'om the valleys of the Tuscarawas and Muskingum, in the 
spring of 1781. It then began to increase. Towards fall of that year, meet- 
ings were held in different places "for the purpose of concerting plans to 
emigrate into the Indian country [for the emigrants] there to establish a gov- 
ernment for themselves." (Appendix G, — Irvine to Moore, Dec. 3, 1781.) By 
the next spring, the movement had received quite an impetus. Ambition, on 
the part of a few; to acquire cheap lands, on the part of many ; seem to have 
been the inciting causes. (Ante, p. 109.) From that time until the date of 
Irvine's letter there had been, apparently, «o relaxation m the emigration; 
for in August "great numbers of men" had crossed the Ohio and made 
" actual settlement," as expressed by him. 

The Indian war was indeed renewed — after a number of years ; or, rather, 
the revolution, so far as the United States and the western savages were con- 
cerned, was continued; for peace was never fully established between the two 
until the treaty at Greenville in 1795. Great Britain, during all this time, 
was covertly hostile to the United States, aiding and abetting the Indians in 
many ways. It was not until after Wayne's victory and Jay's treaty that 
the Northwest enjoyed complete immunity from savage aggressions. 



Appendix B. 195 

impatient for. Thej have repeatedly been informed by report 
that they are the only men, for the war, who are unpaid and 
held in service, 

XXXYII. — W. Jackson^ to Irvine. 

Princeton, September 15, 1783. 
Sir: — In the absence of General Lincoln, who is on a visit 
to Massachusetts, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt 
of your letter by Lieutenant Rose. 

The secretarv at war's letter of the 23d of June not havino- 
reached you, accounts for your want of intelligence respecting 
the measures which had been taken for relieving, paying, and 
furloughing the troops composing your garrison. The causes 
which delayed the march of the troops [Captain Joseph Mar- 
bury's company] from Maryland having been sometime re- 
moved, I hope they will have arrived before you receive this 
letter; lest any unforeseen circumstance should have happened 
to prevent them, I have furnished Lieutenant Rose with a copy 
of that letter and I have taken measures for procuring, to send 
by that gentleman, Mr. Morris' notes for the three months' 
pay which have been given to the rest of the army. It may be 
of service to the soldiers that they should know that these 
notes pass current as ready money in the stores at Philadelphia. 

Should you deem' it perfectly consistent with the safety of 
the post and the security of the public stores, to furlough a 
part of your garrison before the Maryland detachment arrives, 
you are at libertj^ to do so. 

I regret exceedingly that circumstances should have made it 
necessary for you to continue so long in command at Fort 
Pitt, which, on several accounts, must militate with your con- 
venience. But I am confident in the persuasion that Captain 
Marbury, with his detachment, must very soon arrive to take 
possession of the post. 

I enclose an order to the contractors at Carlisle to supply 
such provisions as you shall find it expedient to grant certifi- 
cates for to the troops of your garrison when on their return 

* Assistant secretary at war. 



106 Washington- Irvine Corresj^ondeiice. 

to Philadelphia. These supplies may be likewise granted to 
those soldiers whose homes are distant from Carlisle; it is in- 
tended that a sufficiency should be supplied to subsist them to 
their respective places of abode.-^ 

Your letter which mentions an apprehension of the Indian 
war being renewed by the settlements which are made and 
makino; between the Muskino^um and Wabash has been laid 
before congress and is referred to a committee.^ 

'" The contractors for Pennsylvania will please to issne, on the orders of 
Brigadier General Irvine, such provisions as he shall draw for, to subsist the 
soldiers composing the garrison of Fort Pitt to their respective homes wheu 
furloughed. W. Jackson, Assistant Secretary at War. 

"War Office, September Ih, 1783." 

* Congress soon took action in the matter, issuing a proclamation prohibit- 
ing and forbidding "all persons from making settlements on lands inhabited 
or claimed by Indians, without the limits or jurisdiction of any particular 
state. ' ' The following was the text : 
" By the United States in congress assembled. A proclamation. 

" Whereas, by the ninth of the articles of confederation, it is among 
other things declared, that 'the United States in congress assembled have the 
sole and exclusive right and power of regulating the trade, and managing all 
att'airs with the Indians not members of any of the states; provided, that the 
legislative right of any state witliin its own limits be not infringed or vio- 
lated.' And whereas, it is essential to the welfare and interest of the United 
States, as well as necessary for the mamtenance of harmony and friendship 
with the Indians, not members of any of the states, that all cause of quarrel 
and complaint between them and the United States, or any of them, should 
be removed and prevented; therefore the United States in congress assem- 
bled, have thought proper to issue their proclamation, and they do hereby pro- 
hibit and forbid all persons from making settlements on lands inhabited or 
claimed by Indians without the limits or jurisdiction of any particular state, 
and from purchasing or receiving any gift or cession of such lands or claim?, 
without the express authority and directions of the United States in congress 
assembled; and it is moreover declared, that every such purchase or settle- 
ment, gift or cession, not having the authority aforesaid, is null and void, and 
that no right or title will accrue in consequence. 

"Done in congress, at Princeton, this twenty-second day of September, in 
the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three, and of 
our sovereignty and mdependence the eighth. 

" Elias Boudinot, President. 

" Charles Thomson, Secretary." 

No-attention whatever was paid to this proclamation. The consequence 
was that the settlements increased continually — so rapidly indeed that in less 
than two years the United States found it necessary to drive off the settlers by 



Ajypendix B. 197 

P. S. — You are at liberty to make such arrangements in de- 
livering over the stores to Captain Marbury as you sliall find 

force. To that end, the commissioners of Indian affairs, on the 24th of Jan- 
uary, 1785, instructed Lieut- Col. Josiah Harmar, of the first American regi- 
ment, to employ such force as he might judge necessary *' in driving off persons 
attempting to settle on the lands of the United States.'" In obedience to 
these instructions, that officer detached Ensign John Armstrong with a party 
of twenty men furnished with fifteen days' provisions to perform the task. 

On the 1st day of May, Col. Harmar wrote the president of congress, from 
Fort Mcintosh, that *' Ensign Armstrong, having marched with his party as 
far down as opposite Wheeling, which is about seventy miles from hence, pur- 
suing the course of the river, and having executed his orders (excepting a few 
indulgences granted on account of the weather), returned on the 12th ultimo.'" 
The colonel thus continues: " I have the honor of inclosing to your excellency 
bis report, with sundry petitions, handed him by the settlers; likewise the 
opinion of some reputable inhabitants on the eastern side of the river, with 
respect to them. On the 20th ultimo, I received the inclosed representation, 
signed by sixty-six of them, praying for a further indulgence of time, and in- 
forming me that they had sent on a petition to congress on the subject. In 
answer to which, I thought it most expedient to grant them one month from 
the 21st ultimo to remove themselves, at the expiration of which time parties 
will be detached to drive off all settlers within the distance of one hundred 
and fifty miles from this garrison, which, in my present situation, is all that 
is practicable. The number of settlers lower down the river is very consider- 
able, and, from all accounts, daily increasing. I would, therefore (before I 
proceed further in this business), beg to know the pleasure of your excellency 
and your particular orders upon the subject.'" 

The report of Ensign Armstrong was, in substance, that he marched down 
the Ohio, March 31st; crossed the Little Beaver on the 1st of April; dispos- 
sessed one family at that place ; other families at Yellow Creek, at Mingo Bot- 
tom, or Old Town, at NoiTis's Town, at Haglin's, or Mercer's Town, and at a 
place opposite "Wheeling; that he arrested a man named Ross, who seemed 
to be obstreperous, and sent him to Wheeling in irons; that he was threatened 
by a man named Charles Norris, with a party of armed men, but upon show- 
ing his authority there was no further offensive demonstration ; and that at 
Mercer's Town he had learned that Charles Norris and John Carpenter had 
been elected justices of the peace and had acted as such. 

The "opinion of the respectable inhabitants" was explained by Ensign 
Armstrong to his colonel : 

'■ As the following information through you to the honorable the congress 
may be of some service, I trust you will not be displeased therewith. It is the 
opinion of many sensible men (with whom I conversed on my return from 
Wheeling) that if the honorable the congress do not fall on some speedy 
method to prevent people from settling on the lands of the United States 
west of the Ohio, that country will soon be inhabited by a banditti whose ac- 
tions are a disgrace to human nature. 



198 Washington- Irvine Correspondence. 

most expedient. If the officer who now superintends the 
stores should not continue, may I request that you would in- 

" You will in a few days receive an address from the magistracy of Ohio 
county, through which most of those people pass, many of whom are flying 
from justice. I have, sir, taken some pains to distribute copies of your in- 
structions, with those from the honorable the commissioners for Indian affaii-s, 
into almost every settlement west of the Ohio, and had them posted up at 
most public places on the east side of the river, in the neighborhood through 
which those people pass. Notwithstanding they have seen and read those in- 
structions, they are moving to the unsettled countries by forties and fifties. 
From the best information I could receive, there are at the falls of the Hock- 
hocking upwards of three hundred families; at the Muskingum, a number 
equal. 

" At Moravian Town there are several families and more than fifteen hun- 
dred on the rivers Miami and Scioto. From Wheeling to that place there is 
scarcely one bottom on the river but has one or more families living thereon. 
In consequence of the advertisement by John Emerson, I am assured meet- 
ings will be held at the times therein mentioned. That at Menzon's or Hag- 
lin's town, mentioned in my report of yesterday, the inhabitants had come to 
a resolution to comply with the requisitions of the advertisement." 

The following is "the advertisement " alluded to: 

"advertisement. 

" March 12, 1785. 

*' Notice is hereby given to the inhabitants of the west side of the Ohio 
river that there is to be an election for the choosing of members of the con- 
vention for the framing a constitution for the governing of the inhabitants, 
the election to be held on the 10th day of April next ensuing, viz.: one elec- 
tion to be held at the mouth of the Miami river, and one to be held at 
the mouth of the Scioto river, and one on the Muskingum river, and one 
at the dwelling house of Jonas Menzons, the members to be chosen to meet 
at the mouth of the Scioto on the twentieth day of the same month. 

"I do certify that all mankind, agreeable to every constitution formed in 
America, have an undoubted right to pass into every vacant country, and 
there to form their constitution, and that from the confederation of the whole 
United States congress is not empowered to forbid them, neither is congress 
empowered from that confedemtion to m.ake any sale of the uninhabited lands 
to pay the public debts, which is to be by a tax levied and lifted [collected] 
by authority of the legislature of each state. John Emerson." 

The "representation " mentioned by Col. Harmar in his letter to the presi- 
dent of congress, was to the effect that the settlers desired to act consistent 
with their duty to their country and the commands of the legislature, and asked 
for indulgence in time for removing their families and effects. The petition- 
ers asked delay until they could hear from their papei-s which they had 
forwarded to be laid before congress. Colonel Harmar replied, allowing the 
indulgence mentioned in bis letter, but notifying them that his orders were 
peremptory. 



Appendix B. 199 

form Captain Marbury that he must appoint an officer to take 
charge of them, — that officer to be responsible to him, he 
himself having the general superintendency.^ 

On the 1st of June, Col. Harmar wrote the secretary of war in these words: 

"The honorable the commissioners for Indian affairs . . . left me 
instructions to drive off all surveyors or settlers on the lands of the United 
States; in consequence of which, a. party has been detached, who drove them 
off as far as seventy miles from this post. The number lower down the river 
is immense, and, unless congress enters into immediate measures, it will be 
impossible to prevent the lands being settled. 

" I have written, some time since, upon the subject, requesting particular 
orders how to conduct myself, as it is out of my power to sweep them further 
than the distance of one hundred and twenty or one hundred and fifty miles 
from hence. This is a matter of so much importance, that perhaps you may 
judge it necessary to remind congress of it." 

The letter was referred in congress to a committee, who brought in a report 
approving the conduct of Colonel Harmar; also authorizing him to remove his 
troops, and take post at or near the Ohio, between Muskingum and the Great 
Miami, " which he shall conceive most advisable for further carrying into ef- 
fect the before mentioned orders," and appropriating six hundred dollars for 
the purpose of transporting the troops and their baggage. It was under this 
order that Fort Harmar was erected near the mouth of the Muskingum. 

At the commencement of October, Gen. Richard Butler, passing down the 
Ohio to hold a treaty with the Indians at the mouth of the Miami river, found 
settlements at intervals on the Indian side of the Ohio from the mouth of 
Yellow creek well nigh opposite that of the Great Kanawha. Butler did what 
he could on his downward trip to warn off the persistent settlers, giving 
orders to one of the army officers who was also to descend the river to the 
Muskingum, " to pull down every house on his way," some of those recently 
demolished having already been rebuilt by the determined bordermen. 

But, was the "course of empire " which had so persistently taken "its 
way " beyond the Ohio, comphteJij arrested by the United States authorities? 
Were all the settlers from " Little Beaver " to the "Wabash " driven off ? 
These are questions for the future historians of "the territory northwest of 
the river Ohio" to answer — if they can. But this much is certain: no con- 
stitution for governing the inhabitants was framed; the new state scheme 
beyond the Ohio came to naught. 

' This letter was received by General Irvine at Fort Pitt on the 26tli of 
September — only four days before his final departure from that post. See 
Appendix M, — Irvine to Marbury, October 1, 1783. 



APPENDIX C. 



CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FINANCE.' 



T. — Morris to Irvine. 

Office of Finance, March 6, 1782. 

jgiY': — I have examined the letters and accounts which you 
submitted to my inspection, relative to supplies furnished at 
Fort Pitt by Mr. [John] Irwin, the deputy commissary general 
of issues. In consequence, I have directed Mr. Swanwick to 
pay you the sum of two hundred dollars to purcliase the seven 
thousand three hundred and ninety-three pounds of flour 
and eight hundred and eight^'-four pounds' of beef mentioned 
in that account; and I will direct the quartermaster to forward 
the salt. 

I must request, sir, that whoever you may employ to pur- 
chase those articles, be directed to make out proper and regu- 
lar accounts of the transaction with proper vouchers to pass at 
the public offices, and that they may be duly transmitted to me 
in order to have the same adjusted. 



XL — Morris to Irvine. 

Office of Finance, March 6, 1782. 
glf; — The letter which you wrote to the honorable secre- 
tary at war the 20th ultimo, has been laid before me and the 
contents duly considered. The uncertainty of the militia ser- 

' Robert Morris was superintendent of the finances of the United States, at 
the above date. He was born the 20th of January, 1734, in Liverpool, Eng- 
land. He came to the United States at the age of thirteen. In the coarse of 
time, he engaged in commercial pursuits in Philadelphia. At the close of the 
year 1775, he was sent to congress from Pennsylvania. He was unani- 
mously elected by that body general financier, on the 20th of Februarj^ 1781, 
and continued in office until September 30, 1784. He died iu great pecuniary 
embarrassment, in Philadelphia, May 8, 1806. 



Ap;pendix C. Wl 

vice you mention appears to be so great that I know not how 
any regular and permanent provision can be made for the 
supplies, when they are called to act beyond the bounds of the 
post at Fort Pitt. I must request, therefore, that when any 
are called out for continental purposes and employed where 
the present contract cannot provide for them, that you will 
yourself enter into engagements for supplying them with pro- 
visions on the most frugal terms practicable, and I will cause 
those engagements to be complied with. 



III. — Irvine to Morris. 

Fort Pitt, April 29, 1782. 
Sir: — When I arrived at this post, the contractors' stock of 
provisions was nearly exhausted and not a shilling or credit to 
purchase any more. Under these present circumstances, I 
could not think of any other alternative than to lend them three 
hundred pounds which I found could be spared out of money 
I drew from the quartermaster general, for a few weeks, as we 
could go on in the mean time. They promised to repay it by the 
tenth of May, as they thought one of them could be back from 
Philadelphia by that time. They have sent a person into Yir- 
ginia to buy beef cattle; should he fail, I know not what we 
shall or can do. There is no beef in this country. These peo- 
ple neglected their business entirely in not laying up salted 
pork in the winter, which might have been done with great 
ease. Should any more troops come up, they will not be able 
to supply them unless money is advanced them. I could not 
get a single person in the whole country who would undertake 
to provide provisions for one hundred and sixty militia, even 
for the term of one month; indeed, no man has credit sufficient. 
I am greatly nonplussed on this account, as this number is in- 
dispensably necessary to be kept up on the frontier of Wash- 
ington county to keep the whole county from flying. Mr. 
IIufEnagle has engaged with [the supreme executive] council 
[of Pennsylvania] to And the militia of Westmoreland for the 
present. The number I have called from that county is only 
sixty-five. The whole of the militia ordered out by me 



S02 WashuKjtoii- Irvine Correspondence. 

amounts (iiiclndino; officers) to two hundred and sixty; but as 
I presume they will never be quite complete, I count on about 
two hundred rations 'daily. They are at present billeted, but 
this by no means answers, nor can it be done long. Since I 
came up, I have given permits to ten boats for New Orleans 
and Kentucky, loaded with flour. I believe none of them 
carried less than thirty tons. I am informed ten or twelve 
more are to be down in one fleet of a much larger size. I 
think there will not much flour be left in the country by the 
middle of May. By that time or the first of June, the mills 
cease for want of water. I wish some of these adventurers 
may not fall into the hands of the enemy. It is reported (but 
I know not by what authority) that the British have again 
taken possession of the Illinois country; if so, they will un- 
doubtedly make a post at the mouth of the Ohio; these boats 
will be a great object for them. Should any such event act- 
ually have taken place, I will advise the adventurers thereof 
and shall also take the earliest opportunity of acquainting you. 



IV. — Ikvine to Morris, 

Fort Pitt, If ay 2, ITS 2. 

Sir: — I did myself the honor to write to you the 29th ult. 
Since that time the contractors have got up from Virginia 
thirty head of cattle, purchased with the money I lent them, 
which will not last more than thirty days for the present gar- 
rison. If one of these gentlemen is not up here with money 
to purchase more before the expiration of that time, I cannot 
say what the consequences may be. The troops are not in a 
temper to bear much hunger, though they have been pretty 
well tried too frequently. For seven days together the latter 
end of April, they had not an ounce of meat. As Mr. Duncan 
will hand this to you, he can inform you what their prospects 
are, and whether they can do the business or not. This, how- 
ever, I think incumbent upon me to repeat, that they cannot 
without ready money procure provisions even for a day. 

Inclosed are vouchers for the money you gave me to 
pay for JDrovisions, borrowed for the use of the public by Mr. 



Appendix C. W3 

John Irwin; this business has been transacted on the best 
terms I could. The balance shall be disposed of as you think 
proper to order. 

Y. — Irvine to Morris. 

Fort Pitt, May 9, 1782. 
Sit: — I have contracted with a Mr. Thomas Parkison to 
provide provisions for the militia of Washington county who 
may be drawn out into actual service.^ The price for a ration 
the same as the contractors for this post have, which is the 
lowest I could get anybody to undertake it for. I gave 
Messrs. Huffnagle and Duncan the preference, but they asked 

' The contract was as follows : 

" Article of agreement indented and concluded on at Fort Pitt, this 3d day 
of May, 1782, between William Irvine, Esq., brigadier general (by authority 
invested in him by the Honorable Robert Morris, Esq., superintendent of 
finance), of the one part, and Captain Thomas Parkison, of Washington 
county, state of Pennsjdvania, of the other part, witnesseth: 

"That said Parkison for the consideration hereinafter mentioned doth 
hereby for himself, his executors and administrators, promise and agree to, 
and with General h'vine to furnish and issue rations to the militia of the 
county aforesaid, called out into actual service by order of General Irvine and 
stationed at the following places, namely: at Montour's bottom. Yellow creek, 
Mingo bottom, and Wheeling or Grave creek; the ration to consist of one 
pound of flour and one pound of fresh beef or pork or three quarters of a 
pound of salt meat. Two quarts of salt are to be issued to every hundred 
rations of fresh meat. And General Irvine agrees on his part to allow said 
Parkison eleven pence half penny for every such ration issued by him, and 
is to use his best endeavors with the superintendent of finance to procure 
money for the payment of the same at the end of two months from the com- 
mencement of the issue, which is to be the tenth instant. 

"Said Parkison's vouchers for rations issued are to be returned signed twice 
every week by commissioned officers commanding the company or parties; 
which provisions and weekly returns are to be examined and compared by a 
field officer on duty having charge of the militia then in service ; whose cer- 
tificate [must also be obtained] and also that of the county lieutenant or sub- 
lieutenant that so many militia of said county were in actual service at that 
time by the general's order — for the number of days of whatever month, — 
the returns and certificates to be dated and clear, which certificates and re- 
turns or duplicates must be lodged with General Irvine. 

" For the true performance of the above agreement, said Captain Thomas 
Parkison doth bind himself, his executors and administrators (in case of fail- 



WJi, Washington-Irvine Corresjjondence. 

twice that sum. Mr. Parkison lias engai^ed to do the business 
on his own credit for two raontlis, to commence the tenth 
instant. On the tenth of July, I have promised him a pay- 
ment which will enable him to go on as long as we shall want 
militia for this campaign. I hope you will direct measures to 
enable me to comply with this engagement. I cannot yet 
ascertain exactly the number of rations Mr. Parkison will have 
to issue, but think they will not exceed one hundred daily. I will 
take everj'^ possible precaution to prevent unfair practices in this 
business. Mr. Huffnagle at present supplies the militia of 
"Westmoreland county, under a contract made with [the 
supreme executive] council [of Pennsylvania], but as I have 
called sixty men from that county into actual service, I pre- 
sume the feeding them will ultimately become a continental 
charofe. 



YI. — Irvine to Morris. 

Fort Pitt, May 10, 1782. 
Sir: — I did not receive your letter of the 4th of April till 
yesterday by Mr. [John] Canon.^ I shall always be happy in 
having it in my power to render service to the United States 
in any line. I will appoint the agent you mention for in- 
specting and receiving flour, etc., as soon as I see a probability 
of that business being worthy of attention; till then such aa 
appointment would be unnecessary expense. At present I am 
sorry to inform you that the people of this country seem little 
disposed to pa}' taxes in any mode ; and I fear Mr. Canon will 
either find himself much disappointed in his expectations 

ure), in the penal sum of three hundred pounds specie, to be paid unto the 
Honorable Robert Morris, Esq., superintendent of finance, in behalf of the 
United States. 

" In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and affixed our seals 
this 3d day of May, 1782. 

"Thomas Pakkison, [seal.] 
" William Irvine. [seal.] 

" Signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of 

"JouN Rose.'' 
' For a biographical notice of Canon, see Appendix J, — Marshel to Irvine, 
July 12, 1782, note. 



respecting flour, or he meant to deceive, wliicli I will not 
undertcake to saj.^ Be this as it may, I am of opinion it 
wonhl be best to receive every ounce that is offered, whether 
in casks, as you direct, or not, as I look on it in a manner as 
clear gain. Under this idea, would it not be best also for me 
to authorize Mr. Parkison to receive common flour from the 
inhabitants, provided it does not exceed the quantity of rations 
he may have to issue, as it will be some time before any can be 
got in (the county commissioners having only met yesterday 
for the purpose of laying a tax)? Your instructions to me on 

' What these expectations were may be inferred from the subjoined letter: 
"Office of Finance, Philadelphin, April 4, 1782. 

" Sir: — As you have frequently represented how convenient and agreeable 
it would be to the inhabitants of Washington county to pay the amount of 
their taxes assessed by the late supply bill in flour delivered at Fort Pitt at 
the market price, and as I am not only disposed to accommodate them but 
think such deliveries may be of use to the United States, I do hereby agree 
to receive any quantity of good, sound, sweet and merchantable flour which 
the inhabitants of Washington county may send to that post, packed in casks 
fit for transportation ; the said flour to be delivered to Brigadier General 
Irvine, or to such person as he may appoint to receive it, the quality to be in- 
spected, approved, and the price of flour and casks fixed by such person; and, 
in case of dispute about the quality or price of any parcel of flour offered at 
Fort Pitt in consequence of this agreement, then the said person shall choose 
one arbitrator, an honest, capable man, the party offering the flour shall 
choose another, these two shall choose a third, and the three shall determine 
whether the flour is merchantable or not. If adjudged merchantable, they 
shall also say what price is to be paid for the same, never exceeding the 
market price. If adjudged unmerchantable, it is not to be received on ac- 
count of the United States. 

" The whole deliveries are not to exceed in value the amount of the quota of 
taxes assigned to Washington county, namely: eight thousand and seventy- 
five pounds and one shilling, Pennsylvania currency; and for the amount of 
every parcel or quantity of flour received for the use of the United States, 
General Irvine will give a certificate to me of the quantity of flour and the 
amount thereof, which may be transmitted to the state treasurer, and I will 
receive the same from him as so much money on account of the taxes of 
Washington county. 

" You will ever find me disposed to serve and oblige the faithful citizens of 
the United States in every instance which consists with my duty. 

"RoBEKT Morris. 

"P. S. — Every cask of flour must be branded with the miller's name or 
mill-brand, and bs well coopered. R- M. 

"John Canon, Esq., representative in assembly for Washington county." 



W6 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

that head shall be as punctually complied with as possible. I 
am further of opinion that every species of provision should 
be received, provided any of the contractors will accept of it at 
the prices which it may be received at. 

The seasons for transporting flour from this country to New 
Orleans are from the middle of February till the first of June; 
and from the first of November till the last of December; at 
other times the river is either too low or frozen. A boat 
which will carry forty tons costs about forty pounds; five men 
with a super-cargo are enough to work the boat. One super- 
cargo might do for a number of boats, being practicable to 
keep in fleets. Boatmen generally get from three to four 
pounds per month. 

YII. — MoRKis TO Irvine. 

Office of Finance, Mcnj 29, 1782. 

Sir: — I have been honored with your several favors of the 
twenty-ninth of April and of the ninth and tenth instant. I 
read to the contractors so much of the first as related to them, 
and although they did not absolutely confess but rather sought 
to evade the charge, I could clearly perceive that it was well 
founded. I have paid them fully and therefore they must 
repay the money advanced to them; and I hope you will take 
care that they comply exactly with their contract. 

I am glad that you gave permission to the boats to carry 
down flour. The opening of a market for that article is the sure 
and certain means of rendering it plenty and cheap there here- 
after. I am very sorry, however, to find that the people are 
so unwilling to pay taxes when their immediate preservation, 
as well as interest, are so deeply concerned; but I hope they 
will learn better and thereby avoid the disagreeable conse- 
quences which might ensue. Mr. Canon, from his manner of 
speaking to me, did, I believe, expect that the taxes would 
have been paid in the manner I mentioned to you, but whether 
he jvas himself deceived or meant to deceive me, the fact is 
equally disagreeable.^ I heartily approve your idea of receiv- 

* Further developments showed conclusively that Mr. Canon was acting in 
the utmost good faith. 



Appendix C. W7 

ing whatever provisions may be offered and liope that some- 
thing considerable may be done in that way. 

Your contract with Mr. Parkison shall be carried into effect 
on the part of government. It will be necessary that you 
transmit a certified copy of it to me; and I will thereupon 
certify the previous authority given to you and my assent, 
after which the whole shall be recorded in the proper offices. 
When Mr. Parkison has made the issues, the mode of doing 
which you will point out to him, his accounts and vouchers 
must be sent to the treasury, and the amount being certified to 
me, shall be paid. 

1 pray, sir, that you will accept my sincere thanks for your 
care and attention. Be assured of every support in my 
power. 

VIII. — Ikvine to Morris. 

Fort Pitt, July 5, 1782. 

Sir: — The bearer, Mr. "Wilson, goes to Philadelphia with 
the contractors' accounts for May and June. I have brought 
them to a strict account as to what their prospects are for 
a regular supply in future. They acknowledge they have 
doubts of being able to procure supplies till Mr. Wilson 
returns, unless he is very speedy. I believe they have not 
money and am certain they cannot get credit; so that I have 
every reason to fear the worst consequences. 

Should they fail altogether, I have no alternative at present 
but to try to obtain a temporary supply on my own credit; 
but as this is a business I do not wish to have anything to do 
with, and am sensible I should not interfere, except in a case 
of the most urgent necessity, I shall be much obliged for 
your directions how to act. I do not expect any considerable 
supply on account of taxes before the last of October, if even 
then. I have written council [the supreme executive council 
of Pennsylvania] on this subject to inform them of the dis- 
position of the people; and have urged several officers of 
civil government to make immediate representations, whom it 
will come most properly from; but I fear some of them are 
tainted with a desire to promote setting up a new state. 



208 Washington-Irvine Corresjpondence. 



IX. — Ikvine to Morris. 

Fort Pitt, August 22, 1782. 

Sir: — Mr. "Wilson returned without an answer to my letter 
of the 5th of July. I presume it may not be unnecessary to 
inform you tliat Messrs. Huffnagle and Duncan seem unde- 
termined whether they will enter into a contract for the 
ensuing year or not; Mr. Huffnagle rather positively told me 
he would not. 

There is not the smallest prospect of provision being got 
in for taxes. The county commissioners or assessors have not 
done anything towards laying a tax. I am sorry to give you 
so much trouble in this business, but think it highly proper 
you should be apprised of it. 



X. — Irvine to Morris. 

Fort Pitt, August 23, 1782. 

Sir: — This will be handed to you by Mr. Thomas Parkison, 
together with his accounts and vouchers, for rations furnished 
the militia of Washington county, under my orders, and also 
a copy of his agreement with me. 

The nature of the service the militia are employed on, par- 
ticularly being so far detached and in such small parties, 
renders it altogether impracticable to obtain either returns or 
certificates so accurate as I could wish and alluded to in the 
contract; yet I am persuaded from many concurring circum- 
stances, the number of rations he charges has been fairly 
issued, namely: five thousand two hundred and sixty-one. I 
am certain more men have been out on duty than he has 
charged rations for, many of whom have been fed by frontier 
inhabitants at whose houses they were quartered. Every pos- 
sible step has been taken to prevent fraud in this business, 
and I am of opinion the endeavors have been successful. 

I hope I shall not be under a necessity of keeping any 
militia out longer than the first of October. The whole ex- 
pense will be small when compared with that of former years; 
and I flatter myself not less real service has been performed. 



Ajppendix C. W9 



XI. — MoKRis TO Irvine. 

Office of Finance, Septemher 5, 1782. 

Sir: — I have received your several letters of the 5th July 
and 22d and 23d of August. I had intended answering the 
first by Mr. Wilson, who brought it. I was, by the time of 
his setting oat, incapacitated from doing it. I am very sorry 
to find the state of the country you are in, to be such as you 
represent it, but I conceive your representations are correct 
and require the serious attention of government. 

Mr, Parkison's accounts are in the hands of the proper officers 
and will be duly attended to. I am very much obliged by your 
attention to the public business. I am persuaded that it has 
been very great and useful. I know not as yet what deter- 
mination will be taken with respect to the savages in your 
quarter, but I hope no more militia will be found necessary, 
for they create a very great expense and answer very little 
purpose. And what aggravates the matter still more is the 
consideration that after all many of the inhabitants of that 
country, as we are lately informed, only wait a favorable mo- 
ment to disown the government they now sue to for protec- 
tion. 



XII. — MoKKis TO Irvine. 

Office of Finance, October 3, 1782. 
Sir: — Your favor dated at Fort Pitt, on the 12th of last 
month, has been delivered by Mr. Perry. Colonel [Ephraim] 
Blaine ^ having assumed the contract for supplying the troops 
at Fort Pitt until the first of January next, I have proposed 
to Mr. Perry to join him in it, expecting from his influence 
and credit beneficial results. 

' For notice of Col. Blaine, see Appendix M,— Blaine to Irvine, April 2, 
1783, note. 
14 



^10 Washington-Irvine Corres'pondenee. 



XIII. — Ikvine to Morris. 

Fort Pitt, January 1, 1783. 

Sir: — A tedious fit of the rheumatism has prevented me 
acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 7th of October, 
1782, however anxious I was to state to you an account of the 
sura transmitted to me by the council of Pennsylvania, sub- 
jected to your orders. 

As the first intimation of any expedition I received, I was 
urged to use the utmost exertions to march on a certain day 
fixed. The orders countermanding the execution of these 
operations and your letter, did not arrive for a long time 
afterwards. Under such circumstances, the council of this 
state could justly not expect that money destined for a piece 
of service so much pressed should remain unappropriated in 
my hands for such a length of time. Py a cautious assiduity 
— by a lucky combination of circumstances — by transferring 
such purchases of provisions as were actually paid for to the 
contractor at the original cost, — the expenses incurred have 
been comparatively trifling. 

The messenger from council, Colonel Carnahan, delivered 
me fourteen hundred eighty-two pounds five shillings and a 
penny, and the cash now in my hands amounts to twelve hun- 
dred twenty-four pounds six shillings and ten pence. I am, 
besides, possessed of obligations on the contractor for two 
hundred thirty-six pounds seven shillings, which sum you will 
please to deduct from the payment due Colonel Ephraim 
Plaine, for the supplies furnished this post for November and 
December, 1782. The state of Pennsylvania, consequently, 
will receive credit for fourteen hundred and sixty pounds, thir- 
teen shillings and ten pence. I shall transmit to the council 
an account of the other unavoidable expenses. 

This transferring the purchases of provisions to the con- 
tractor did prove a fortunate accident to this garrison. It 
prevented a total want, which to anticipate would not have 
been in his power, being destitute of ready cash. Our situa- 
tion with respect to provisions still continues critical. The 
quantity of meat laid in will supply this post eighteen or 



Appendix C. 211 

twenty days, and flonr is procured with the utmost difficulty, 
as the temporary exigencies call for it. The arrival of Mr. 
Alex'r Blaine last night, removes this uneasiness in some 
measure, — having had no previous intimation by whom this 
post would be supplied with provisions in future. 

I am in hopes the state of my health will permit me to un- 
dertake a journey to Carlisle in the beginning of February. 
Should you intend to give any orders upon me for the money 
in my hands, I beg to be favored with them before that time. 



XIV. — Irvine to Morris. 

Fort Pitt, January 17, 1783. 

Sir: — John Pierce, Esq., paymaster general, informs me in 
a letter dated November 29, 1782, which I received yesterday, 
that in consequence of his application to you for the subsist- 
ence of the officers at this garrison to be ordered from the 
money in my hands, he had received a draft on John Swan- 
wick for five hundred thirtj^-eight dollars and twelve-nine- 
tieths, dated E"ovember 20th, 1782, payable to him or his 
order on the 31st of December last. As this order does not 
particularly specify the money in my hands, and as I am in 
doubt for what purposes you might intend it, I shall defer 
complying with his demand until the middle of February next, 
against which time your orders will easily reach me, if you 
think proper to countermand the payment being made by me. 

By this measure, I expect to prevent occasioning unneces- 
sary trouble, in case you approve of it. I also wish not to 
thwart your views; but the urgent necessities of the officers, 
particularly those who, by the new arrangement of the army, 
are obliged to give up their commands, are such that I think 
it unavoidable to satisfy the demand and impossible to put off 
the payment beyond the time mentioned, as they then at far- 
thest must return to their respective homes. !Nor can I per- 
suade myself that the difference could be material where the 
money is reserved ; and I should rather be inclined to think 
that this sum, if it is kept unappropriated by me, may be ren- 
dered of more immediate use whilst retained in your own 



^1^ Washington-Irmne C orresjpondence. 

hands. Your silence on this head will convince me of your 
approbation, in which case you will please to remark that the 
amount of the sura mentioned for the subsistence of this post 
is to be deducted from the amount of the cash remaining in 
my hands, as delivered to you in my letter of January 1st. 

Unacquainted with the terms upon which tlie garrison is 
supplied with provisions by the present contractor, I could 
wish to be furnished with a copy of his contract. 



XY. — MoERis TO Ievine. 

Office of Finance, March 14, 1783. 

Bir: — I have received your several letters of the first Jan- 
uary, 12th of February and 6th of March. Lieutenant Hose 
is now engaged in settlement of the accounts, which will, I 
suppose, be speedily adjusted. "Whatever balance may be 
found due will be payable to Mr. Hilligas by you on a warrant 
in his favor. You will discharge that by buying the bills of 
the paymaster at Fort Pitt on the paymaster general, or the 
orders I may have issued on Mr. Swanwick and which you 
shall find in that quarter. These can be remitted to me. I 
will cause receipts to be made on the warrant above mentioned 
so as to fully adjust the matter. 

As to the object of contingencies which your aid mentioned 
to me, the proper mode is for you as commander in the depart- 
ment to issue your special warrants on the paymaster, men- 
tioning in them the service for which they are issued. The 
other matters he was charged with being in the war department, 
I directed him to apply to General Lincoln, who will, I dare say, 
do anything which shall be proper. Before I close this letter, 
permit me to express the sense I entertain of your attention 
to the public service and interest. Accept my thanks for 
them, together with the best wishes for the speedy and perfect 
re-establishment of your health. 



Appendix C. 213 



XYI. — Irvine to Mokris. 

Fort Pitt, September 6, 1783. 
Sir: — The balance of the public money, subject to your 
order remaining in my hands, after a settlement at your 
office, amounted to two thousand seven hundred and twenty-six 
dollars, seventy-ninetieths, specie. Lieutenant Rose will pre- 
sent you the bills drawn on the paymaster general for the 
payment of the troops and the subsistence of the garrison, 
amounting in full for the sum mentioned. For the final ad- 
justment of the matter, you will please to order receipts to be 
given on a warrant in favor of Mr. Hilligas as directed by 
you in a letter dated the 14th of March, 1783. 



APPENDIX D. 



JOHN PIERCE, PAYMASTER GENERAL, TO IRVINE. 



Philadelphia, January 12, 1782. 

Bir: — The superintendent of finance has agreed to pay the 
ofiicers' subsistence money, at the end of each month, which 
I shall forward to your department as it becomes due. You 
will oblige me by desiring any trusty officer who may come 
this way, and will return, to call on me, as I am fearful my 
opportunities may not be frequent for sending it. I wish also 
that the musters may be taken for every person entitled to re- 
ceive pay or rations as early as possible at the end of each 
month and transmitted to me in this city. I have given into 
Mr. Tannehill's hands the money for the rations for January, 
who will want the musters for that month before he can make 
a payment. 

As to pay, I am not instructed to say when it may be 
expected, but can assure you that the troops at Fort Pitt will 
have the same attention paid them as the rest of the army. 

You will oblige me by informing me who would be a proper 
person to consign my business to in the department. Mr. 
Tannehill appears to me a proper person, but as I am unac- 
quainted with him and you have an opportunity of observing 
his conduct, I wish you would please to write me on the 
subject. 

II. 

PniLADELrniA, May 30, 1782. 
Sir: — I have sent by the bearer, three months' subsistence 
agreeable to your estimate for the troops at Fort Pitt. Had 
money been plenty here a larger supply would have been for- 



Ajppendix D. 215 

warded. Another regulation has taken place in regard to sub- 
sistence, which I suppose you have received. As your 
situation is so distant, I think it cannot take place before the 
1st of June. I am much obliged for the estimate, and will 
thank you for another when I again send on money. 

"When money is sent on for the pay of the troops, I shall 
take measures proper for the purpose; but the allowance to 
Mr. Tannehill, for his present trouble, I cannot ascertain. It 
will be best for him to make a reasonable charge in addition 
to his other pay and obtain your certificate; as you are best 
acquainted with the trouble of the business. Congress will 
not admit of any establishment for the purpose. 



III. 

Philadelphia, September 2, 1TS2. 
Sir: — In answer to yours of the 23d ultimo, I beg leave to 
inform you that our treasury is so far exhausted that it will 
not be possible to transmit your garrison any subsistence 
money at this moment, but shall endeavor to do it soon. Are 
you not mistaken that there is not more money in your chest 
than will pay August? The balance which appears to be on 
hand with Mr. Tannehill is now six hundred and twenty-one 
dollars, which will amount to more than three months' subsist- 
ence. I have stated the particulars of my account current 
with Mr. Tannehill and inclosed it to him, which you can ad- 
vert to for your satisfaction. 



lY. 

Princeton, September 16, 1783. 
Sir: — Lieutenant Pose having represented the difficulties 
attending the settlement of the PeniisylvB,nia troops at Fort 
Pitt, unless some person be authorized to transact the business 
for that detachment, I conceive that, as the regiments at head- 
quarters are allowed agents by the commander-in-chief, for the 
same purpose, it will be highly necessary and proper that an 
agent whom the troops can confide in should also be appointed 



'BIG Washington-Ij'nine Correspondence. 

by the officers, to represent that detachment to settle their ac- 
counts at Philadelphia, receive their certilicates and distribute 
them to the respective claimants. 

I think it very proper that this agent should examine and 
receive the vouchers of the several regimental paymasters 
whose accounts are connected with this settlement, and request 
that you will please to signify this to that person so appointed; 
and I do hereby authorize him to call to account such regi- 
mental paymasters and will be bound by his transactions on 
this occasion, provided the same shall be agreable to the exist- 
ing resolves of congress. I shall send any farther necessary 
instruction on the first application. 



APPENDIX E. 



CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE DEPUTY ' AND ASSISTANT QUAR- 
TERMASTER GENERAL.^ 



I. — Miles to Irvine. 

Philadelphia, March 12, 1782. 
Sit: — I have written Mr. Duncan to deliver to the person 
you shall appoint to receive them, all the quartermaster's 
stores under his care and to dismiss all the persons employed 
by him, as soon as the stores are delivered. I shall, therefore, 
be obliged to you to appoint some suitable person for this 
purpose (but pray let him be a person capable of keeping his 
own accounts, to prevent the expense of a clerk). Some of 
the gentlemen of the line, I doubt not, will accept it for a 
small addition to their pay, which I shall leave you to fix; 
and as you are a judge of the suitableness of the respective 
gentlemen, and as the person will act under your immediate 
direction and inspection, I can rest assured that no improper 
appointment will be made. All I am anxious for is, to have 
the business done with economy and punctuality. 



II. — Miles to Irvine. 

[Philadelphia, April 3, 1782.] 
Sir: — By the bearer, Andrew Adam Seitz, are sent six 
hogsheads of clothing, one hundred axes, and five hundred 
weight of rod iron.^ The other articles will be sent as fast as 

' Samuel Miles. 

'^ Samuel Hodgdon. 

^ " Rec'd the 3d of April, 1782, of Samuel Miles, deputy quartermaster, one 
box containing one hundred axes and five hundred weight rod iron, which I 
promise to deliver to the commanding officer at Fort Pitt, and for which I 
have duplicate receipts of this tenor and date. Andrew Adam Seitz." 

" Rec'd 3d April, 1782, of J. S. Howell, deputy clothier general, six pack- 



218 Washington-Irvine C orresiyondence. 

wagons can be procured. The roads have been so bad that do 
wagons could be got sooner. 



III. — Miles to Irvine. 

Philadelphia, April 16, 1782. 

Sir: — There are three wagons loaded with a variety of 
stores, some public and some private, for the officers of the 
garrison [at Fort Pitt]. Inclosed is a receipt for what was 
loaded out of my office. Mr. Wister and the other persons 
concerned have, I suppose, sent receipts for the stores sent by 
them.' 

I wish those three Avagons might, if possible, be loaded 
back. If there are any loading of any kind, either private or 
public, I shall be obliged to you for procuring it for them, for 
their pay is to be the same, whether they return loaded or 
empty. "Whatever they bring, therefore, will be a saving of 
BO much. 

lY. — Miles to Irvine. 

Philadelphia, May 4, 1782. 
Sir: — I have purchased (by order of Mr. Morris) thirty- 
two bushels of salt, to pay a number of persons for provisions 
supplied the garrison of Fort Pitt some time ago. The bearer, 
Benjamin Tell, has it in charge, contained in eight barrels. I 
have enclosed a list of the persons' names to whom it is to be 
distributed, with the quantity each is to receive, and I must 
beg the favor of you to put it into the hands of some trusty 
person, for distribution, who must take receipts from the per- 
sons that receive it, for their respective proportions, which 
receipts (as soon as the whole is delivered) I must beg you 
will be so obliging as to transmit to me, that I may close the 
account of the salt, as it is separate from the other transactions 
of ray department. 

ages of clothing . . . which I promise to deliver to Brig. Gen. Irvine 
for the use of the troops under his command stationed at Fort Pitt, having 
signed three receipts. Andrew Adam Seitz." 

^ See the two receipts just mentioned. 



Aj)pendix E. '219 

The whole quantity to be delivered is 31^ bushels; the re- 
maining three pecks will I hope make up any deficiencies that 
may happen by measuring it out in small quantities.^ 

Mr. Tell has also in charge the public team purchased for 
the use of the post at Fort Pitt, which has been detained here 
for want of a driver. 



Y. — Miles to Irvine. 

Philadelphia, May 23, 1782. 
Sit: — I received a few days ago a letter from Mr. Hughes, 
your brigade quartermaster, acquainting me that he cannot 
nor will not do the duty of quartermaster at Fort Pitt, unless 

^ "Account of salt clue the following persons for beef, flour, pork, etc., 
purchased by Colonel John Gibson's orders for the use of the troops in the 
western department since the first of August, 1781, to the 20th of October, 

following: Bushels. Pecks. 
"To David Rankin, for three beef cattle. (Three bushels paid by 

Gen. Ii-vine) 5 2 

" Edward Cook, for 16 hundred weight flour 4 

" Mr. Wells, for LOGO weight flour 2 2 

" Col. Carman and Company, for 8 hundred do 2 

" Henry Spear, for 1,000 weight of do 2 2 

" Richard McMachan, balances for beef 2 2 

" Van Camp, for 4 hundred of flour 1 

" B. Cuykendall, for 2 hundred weight of do 2 

" Thomas Roberts, for one bullock 1 1 

" Mr. White, for one hundred weight of flour 1 

" Jacob Bausmau, for 4 hundred pounds beef 2 

" Mr. Moore, for one bullock 1 3 

" Sam'l Sample, one bullock 2 2 

'* Mr. Downing, for one bullock 2 2 

" Robert Lawdon, for 2 hundred weight flour 2 

31 1 
*' I do certify that I have purchased, received and delivered the above quan- 
tity of beef and flour to John Irwin, D. C. Gen'l of Issues, and as my receipts 
are given to the difi"erent persons to be paid in salt; and as there is no conti- 
nental salt here, I beg that Gen'l Irvine will use his influence, if possible, to 
obtain the quantity of salt, so as I may be able to pay oft' the debts according 
to contract. Sam'l Sample. 

" I do certify that I received of Mr. Samuel Sample beef and flour to the 
full amount of the within account for the use of the continental troops. 
" FoKT Pitt, October 30, 1781. Geo. Wallace, A. C. I." 



^W Wasldngton-Irvine C orresjpondence. 

he can receiv^e his pay regularly every month. This is a thing 
impossible for me to promise, as I am sure I shall not have it 
in ray power to fulfill such an engagement. He also tells rae 
that he cannot perform the business without, at least, one clerk. 
It is possible I may be mistaken with respect to the business 
of the post. But according to my idea of it, I cannot con- 
ceive that a clerk can be necessary. It is undoubtedly right 
that he should have a suitable number of persons to do the 
laboring part, but I should think one man would readily do all 
the writing, as well as direct the business. However, you, sir, 
who are on the spot, are certainly a better judge of this mat- 
ter than I can possibly be at this distance. I shall, therefore, 
thank you to make such arrangements as you will find abso- 
lutely necessary, which I shall, as far as it depends upon me, 
readily agree to, and do all in my power to support. 



YI. — Miles to Irvine. 

Philadelphia, Noveiriber 28, 1782. 

Sir: — Agreeable to your advice, I attempted to contract 
with Mr. Blaine for supplying your post with forage; but 
though he is willing to take the contract, he chose to defer it 
till his return to Fort Pitt, not knowing on what terms he 
could purchase hay and grain. I have therefore to request 
the favor of you to take this trouble for me; and to make the 
best contract you can with Mr, Blaine, at so much per ration, 
which (agreeable to the new plan in the quartermaster's de- 
partment to take place the first of January next) is fourteen 
pounds of hay and ten quarts of oats or other grain equiva- 
lent, for all the horses entitled to forage at your post as well 
the officers' as public teams. 

As you are fully acquainted with the situation of the coun- 
try, you are much better qualified to fix the price with Mr. 
Blaine than I can possibly be at this distance. I shall there- 
fore make no other apology for troubling you with the 
business; and shall, if necessary, confirm any contract you 
think proper to make for the purpose. I hope when this con- 
tract is n.ade, it will not be requisite for me to appoint any 



Appendix E. ^21 

person to do the duty of quartermaster at Fort Pitt. If wood 
is to be purchased, it can, I doubt not, be contracted for to be 
delivered at the garrison, and the other duties can be but 
trifling. 

I have little prospect of furnishing another team this fall. 
I should have written you more fully by this opportunity, but 
have been in daily expectation of finishing the contract with 
Mr. Blaine till within this hour, when he informed me he 
could not fix the price till his arrival in your country, and is 
just now ready to set out. From the same cause, also, I have 
been prevented from obtaining an order from Mr. Morris for 
you, appropriating part of the moneys in your hands to the 
purchase of forage. But there cannot, possibly, I should sup- 
pose, be any reasonable objection to it, or of furnishing Mr. 
Blaine with the same proportion of cash on the contract for 
forage that he has received on that for provision. 

I received your letter of September , but hurry of busi- 
ness and want of opportunity prevented my answering it; 
that of July did not come to hand. Four wagons with 
clothing for your garrison, set out from here yesterday. 



YII. — Irvine to Miles. 

FoKT Pitt, January ], 1783. 
Sir: — Tour favor of the 28th of l^ovember was delivered 
to me yesterday by Mr. [Ephraim] Blaine. He purposes to 
furnish forage either in bulk, at a certain advance for his 
trouble, or to issue it by the ration, which he thinks he cannot 
afford to furnish under one shilling three pence. This, at 
present, is not so unreasonable as it may appear, compared to 
the prices of forage below, since grain and hay have consider- 
ably advanced during the winter; and I am certain it could 
not be furnished here much cheaper this season.' To contract 
for forage I think at any rate the most eligible method; but I 
am quite at a loss to determine which of these proposals to 
prefer. I am so much the more diffident to enter into any 
engagements with Mr. Blaine upon his conditions, as he finds 



2^2 Washingtonr-Irvine Correspondence. 

himself unable to engage in the business unless he receives 
at least one hundred pounds advanced in cash. 

However, in confidence, to come to a reasonable conclusion 
with you and to receive in advance the sum mentioned, Mr. 
Blaine enters upon the engaging of forage, as soon as our 
present stock is exhausted, and leaves you the choice of his 
proposals. He expects you will communicate to him your 
definite answer without delay; and you should obtain orders 
from the financier general [Morris] upon me for the sum de- 
manded, as it is positively not in my power to advance him 
any money at all without it. You will please to forward these 
in a manner that they may reach me here in the beginning of 
February, at which time I expect to go down the country. 

The clothing you mention has not arrived. The impracti- 
cability of the roads detains the wagons on your side the hills; 
and I am told their different loads have been repacked and are 
forwarded on pack-horses. I fear a great deal will be lost and 
more spoiled. 

YIII, — HoDGDON to Irvine. 

Philadelphia, March 22, 1783. 

Sit: — I have, in company with your aid, just seen Mr. 
Morris and settled the matter relative to the forage delivered 
at Fort Pitt. He requests that you will settle with the con- 
tractors up to the first of April, either by ascertaining the 
number of rations actually issued from the commencement of 
the supply, or the quantity of each kind of forage received 
during the time of the supply. In either case, your judgment 
will be conclusive and the account immediately admitted. 
"When the amount is known, a draft will be given the 
quartermaster general therefor and the vouchers taken by you 
received in payment. That the whole matter may appear to 
have fallen under his notice and direction, this mode is thought 
the most eligible. 

I wish you to still take the trouble of insuring a future 
supply. Being on the spot and having perfect knowledge of 
every circumstance, your interference will prevent mistakes 



Appendix E. ^^S 



and their train of consequences. I will nndertake to comply 
with any engagements in this business you may find it neces- 
sary to make. I rely on your goodness to indulge me and 
serve the public in this particular. Any officer you think 
essentially necessary to conduct the quartermaster's business, 
I wish you to appoint. When the capacity in which he acts 
is known, it shall be confirmed and a suitable allowance made 
for his services. The secretary at war thinks proper to 
postpone the transporting the several articles in your returns 
until others may be procured and the roads more settled. 



IX. — HoDGDON TO Irvine. 

Philadelphia, April 15, 1783. 

Sir: — I have received your letter of the 3d instant, and 
noted its contents. Peace being unquestionably settled, ren- 
ders an appointment in the quartermaster's department at 
Fort Pitt unnecessary; on which account, I am glad you have 
suspended it, and am also much obliged for your attention to 
the procurement of forage absolutely necessary for the gar- 
rison. The mode I exceedingly approve. You will please to 
request Captain Zingly to keep a particular account of sales 
and disbursements, that nothing may perplex the business on 
final adjustment of the accounts for supplies furnished the 
post. 

As Captain Emes is already in charge of the public stores 
at Carlisle, I shall empower him to receive and make sale of 
such horses and wagons as may chance to arrive there; and to 
give receipts to the persons who make the delivery; and par- 
ticularly to call on all officers contiguously situated for any 
horses tiiey may have in possession. All received will be sold 
at Carlisle — as I am with you in sentiment that it will be 
most for the interest of the public. If a new appointment 
was necessary, your recommendation would insure it to Mr. 
Postlethwait, having previously heard that he was an active, 
intelligent and honest man. 



^2Jt. Washingtoti-Irvine Correspo7idence. 



X. — HoDGDON TO Irvine. , 

Philadelphia, September 19, 1783. 

Sir: — The two wagons at present employed at your post 
can be no longer necessary, as the garrison is so much reduced. 
In future, the commanding officer is at liberty to hire the 
small portion of transportation that may be wanted. Ko 
hauling except wood can create any expense, and as the com- 
mand is not entitled to forage, it would be double the expense 
to support public teams merely for this service. You will 
therefore dispose of those you have, in the manner you think 
most likely to accommodate the removal of your officers and 
men. 

I wish you to direct the person last employed by you as 
quartermaster to make out his account and you to certify the 
time and value of his services, after which I will do my en- 
deavors to have him paid. The wood for the use of the gar- 
rison is to be cut as usual near the fort, the proprietor in 
common with others will receive a reasonable corapensatioD. 



APPENDIX F. 



CORRESPONDENCE WITH JOHN MOYLAN, CLOTHIER-GENERAL, 
AND JACOB S. HOWELL, HIS DEPUTY. 



I. — Jacob S. Howell to Irvine. 

Philadelphia, December 17, 1781. 
Sir: — I received your faVor of the 2d instant by express, 
and am pleased to hear the clothing arrived safe. I have re- 
ceived a supply of cloth from the eastward and shall [take the 
earliest time] to furnish you with the . . . also with 
shirts, shoes and overalls. [You will] therefore be pleased to 
send an officer in a month or six weeks from this time to re- 
ceive and take charge of the clothing. Ko delay will be made 
on my part miless some unavoidable [accident should] happen 
to prevent his return. 

II. — Howell to the Commanding Officer at Fort Pitt. 

Philadelphia, February 19, 1782. 
Sir: — Inclosed is Barney Hart's receipt for four boxes and 
two hogsheads clothing for the troops stationed at Fort Pitt, 
which you will please to receive and deliver them to the pay- 
masters of the two regiments, proportionate to their wants, 
and acquaint me with the quantity issued to each. You will 
please to observe that I have sent some superfine cloth for 
officers, which is a very large proportion of the quantity in 
store. I wish it was in my power to send you more; but, as 
that is not the case, you must accept the will for the deed. 



III. — Irvine to John ]!Jotlan. 

Fort Pitt, July 25, 1782. 
Sir: — I inclose you a return of clothing received, issued 
and ... at this post since my arrival here. [It is be- 
cause] the most necessary articles for the [men are] exhausted 
15 



226 WasJdngton-Ii^vine Correspondence. 

that I am under the necessity to make early application, and 
nrge their being speedily sent on, for several reasons, — par- 
ticularly the impracticability of tlie roads late in the year. I 
therefore request yon not to postpone forwarding the clothing 
for this garrison until the supplies of the whole army are col- 
lected. The transportation here is so tedious by its distance 
and the troops are so bare by receiving their regimentals so 
early last fall — an indulgence enforced by necessity — that 
they will not only suffer but perish should we be disappointed 
in our expectation of an early supply. 

The total want of linen overalls this summer has exposed 
the soldiers to numberless inconveniences. To prevent a sim- 
ilar distress next summer, I insert linen overalls and shirts in 
an inclosed return of clothing wanted again this winter, which 
is calculated with the utmost precision by the number of our 
effectives. As you must still retain on hand our proportionary 
quota of linen overalls for this year, I wish you would forward 
them with the rest of the clothing in the fall. We should 
have the use of them the next proper season. The clothing 
promised the Indians has been entirely neglected. I am 
obliged to furnish them with blankets and shirts specified in 
the return. 



lY. — MoYLAN TO Irvine. 

Philadelphia, August 11, 17S2. 

Sir: — I am favored with your letter by Captain Hughes. 
Perfectly sensible as I ever have been of the particular atten- 
tion due to corps like yours so far remote from every source 
of supply, I beg leave to assure you that nothing on my part 
has been left undone to provide in time for the clothing of the 
troops under your command; but unfortunately in this as well 
as many other instances the means of conveyance have not 
kept pace with the exertions I have made since my arrival in 
this city. For proof of which exertions the appearance of 
those troops who have received their clothing is the best evi- 
dence I can appeal to. 

The linen overalls with other articles appropriated for your 



Ajjpendix F. ^27 

detachment as well as tlie clothing promised the Indians, you 
must recollect were all in readiness about the time you left 
this place, and for the greater dispatch packed up agreeably 
to your directions in pieces to be made up by the garrison; 
but the application has been frequently made for the means of 
transporting them — here they still remain. 

I have good hopes, however, that these goods with whatever 
may be allotted for the winter supply of your troops will be 
shortly forwarded to you. The amount of your return of 
clothing wanted can be easily procured, having actually on hand 
the most necessary articles it specifies. The necessity of send- 
ing them on in time to prevent the danger and delays of bad 
roads I shall take care to urge to the minister at war, and I 
have little or no doubt but he will cheerfully enter into your 
views.. 



Y. — MoYLAN TO Irvine. 

Philadelphia, November 10, 1T82. 

Sir: — A severe indisposition which has confined me near 
four weeks to my bed and but a few days since permitted me 
to creep about, prevented an earlier reply to your favor of the 
12th September. I now have the pleasure to inform you that 
in the course of this week, if wagons can be procured, we 
shall forward to your address a supply of clothing for the 
troops under your command, to the full extent of the return 
you made me. For your better information I shall subjoin a 
note^ of such articles at foot hereof as we are packing up for 
that purpose. I sincerely wish they may reach you in time to 
screen the men from the severity of the approaching season. 

Several occurrences ha%^e unavoidably dela^^ed this supply, as 
well as the linen overalls and hunting frocks, which were in 

'This note was as follows: 

" [Note.] Two hundred coats, two hundred vests, two hundred pair breeches, 
six hundred shirts, fifty or sixty blankets, three hundred and sixty-four pair 
hose, two hundred and sixty hats, three hundred linen overalls, five Indian 
robes, eleven Indian robes alias guina cloths, two lbs. vermillion, seven hun- 
dred pair shoes, three hundred hunting frocks, twelve match coats, eighteen 
sergeant's coats." 



^'28 WasJdngton-lrvine C om^espondeiice. 

readiness to send you some months ago. This delay, however, 
should not, I think, deprive your men of their jnst proportion 
of the articles of clothing which have been appropriated for 
them. I have therefore ordered them to be sent on with the 
other articles now preparing for their use. You will observe 
that the Indians have not been forgotten in this supply. 



YI. — PIOW^ELL TO IkVINE. 

Philadelphia, Noveniber 25, 1782. 

Sir: — On the other side you have invoice and receipt^ for 
twelve packages of clothing sent to your address for the use 
of the garrison at Fort Pitt, under your command, which I 
hope will arrive safe and give pleasure to you and comfort to 
your troops. 

The articles for the Indians contained in the package yon 
will be pleased to have taken out and appropriated accord- 
ingly. I am sorry you have not had this supply earlier in the 
season, but means for transportation could not sooner be 
obtained. 

' This invoice and receipt are purposely omitted as being of little general 
interest. 



APPENDIX G. 



CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE GOVERNORS OF PENNSYLVANIA.^ 



I. — Irvine to "William Moore.'' 

Fort Pitt, Decemher 3, 1781. 
Sir: — I am sorry to inform your excellency that this 
country has got a severe stroke by the loss of Colonel [Archi- 
^ bald] Lochry^and about one hundred ('tis said) of the best 

* William Moore and John Dickinson. 

' William Moore was president of the supreme executive council of Penn- 
sylvania and governor de facto as well as de jure of that state, from the 14th 
of November, 1781, to the 7th of November, 1782. The letter was directed 
to the supreme executive council, as Irvine had not heard who had been elected 
chief executive. 

^From the Pennsylvania Packet, 12 March, 1782: "Extract of a letter 
from Kentucky, dated December 6, 1781. 'It is but lately that the fate of 
Colonel Loughrie [Lochry] and his corps of Pennsylvanians, who were to do 
duty to the westward under the command of General Clarke [George Rogers 
Clark], has been publicly known. The rendezvous of the brigade was ap- 
pointed to be at Wheeling. Col. Loughrie, whose regiment was composed of 
fine riflemen, happened to be something in the rear, but despatched a messen- 
ger to the general, informing him of his situation and strength, at the same 
time requesting that in case he could not wait until he came up, to leave him 
a supply of provisions. The general pushed forward, leaving a few men with 
the provisions for the Pennsylvanians and orders for them to follow to the 
mouth of the Miame [Miami]; Loughrie followed, but the general went on to 
the Falls [Louisville]. During General Clarke's stay at Fort Pitt, the enemy 
at Detroit got intelligenc3 of his preparations and designs; the [they] de- 
tached a force of about 600, mostly Indians, in order to make a diversion in the 
Kentucky country, and if practicable, to intercept the general coming down 
the Ohio. This force reached the mouth of the Miami time enough to give a 
fatal blow to the unfortunate Loughrie and his men, who, when they came to 
the appointed place of overtaking the other regiment, unsuspectingly landed, 
and were soon surrounded by the enemy, and the whole party, amounting to 
140 men, were either killed or made prisoners. The particulars of this mor- 
tifying disaster we have from prisoners that lately made their escape from 
the Indians.' " 



^30 Washington-Irvine Corresjpondence. 

men of Westmoreland county, including Captain Stokely ^ and 
his company of rangers. They were going down the Ohio on 
General Clark's expedition. Many accounts agree that they 
were all killed or taken at the mouth of the Miami river, — I 

believe chiefly killed.- This misfortune, added to the failure 

_^_^__ « 

' Thomas Stokely. He was among the captured and afterward returned to 
his home. He was in command, at the time, of a company of state troops, 
called rangers. 

"I am now on my march with Captain Stokely 's company of rangers and 
about fifty volunteers, from this [Westmoreland] county. We shall join Gen- 
eral Clark at Fort Henry [Wheeling], on the Ohio river, where his army has 
lain for some weeks past, as it was most expedient to have the boats there, the 
water being deeper from [that point] to where he intends going than from Fort 
Pitt there." — Lochry to Pres't Reed from "Miraile's Mills, Westmoreland, 
Aug. 4th, 1781." 

'^The following is the British official report of the. affair: 

"Camp Near the Ohio, August 2^, 1781. 

^^Sir: — The 26th you had enclosed an account that Captain Brandt [the 
Mohawk Indian chief, Thayendanegea, or Joseph Brant] and Gorge Girty, 
with the Indians, advanced upon the Ohio, had taken one of Clark's boats 
after having passed down the river in the night. Not thinking themselves 
in number sufficient to attack him, and having found by his orders to Major 
Craigcroft [Major Charles Cracraft] that more troops were to follow under the 
command of a Colonel Lochry, [they] lay in wait for them, attacked and took 
the whole, not allowing one to escape. Agreeable to a return, it appears there 
has been thirty-seven killed, amongst whom is Lochry, their commandant, 
with some officers. 

"This stroke, with desertions, will reduce Clark's army much, and if the 
Indians had followed advice and been here in time, it is more than probable 
he would have been now in our possession with his cannon. 

"The prisoners seem to be ignorant of what his intentions are. Perhaps 
loss may oblige him to change his measures. However, we shall endeavor to 
keep the Indians together, and watch his motions. His first intention was to 
penetrate to Sandusky through the Indian country, from whence the troops 
from Fort Pitt were to return home and he to Kentucky. 

" We are with great respect, sir, your most obedient and most humble 
servants, A. Thompson, 

"Alex'r McKee. 

"To Major De Peyster [commanding at Detroit]." 

Extract from a letter written by General Frederick Haldimand to Sir Henry 
Clinton, dated Quebec, 29th Sept., 1781: "I have received a dispatch from 
Detroit with an account of a stroke made by Joseph Brant upon the Ohio. 
. . . Major De Peyster informs me he is not without hopes that a large 
body of Indians detached for that purpose may yet fall in with Mr. Clark's 
main body, which it was expected would consist of 1,500 men, including a 



Ajppendix G. ^31 

of General Clark's expedition,^ lias filled the people with great 
dismay. Many talk of retiring to the east side of the moun- 
tain early in the spring. Indeed, there is great reason to ap- 
prehend that the savages and perhaps the British from Detroit 
will push us hard in the spring; and I believe there never were 
posts, nor a country, in a worse state of defense; notwith- 
standing, I am well informed there have been sundry meetings 
of people at different places, for the purpose of concerting 
plans to emigrate into the Indian country, there to establish 
a government for themselves. What the result of their meet- 
ings was I cannot say; and, as I do not intend to interfere in 
civil matters, I have not taken any notice of the affair.^ 

body from Augusta county in Virginia and a draft from the settlements in 
Kintuck [Kentucky]. . The war in that country is, on our part, entirely defen- 
sive, except by scouting parties constantly employed to prevent the encroach- 
ments of settlers and to harass the frontiers, which I encourage as much as 
possible." 

' [From General George Rogers Clark to the governor of Virginia, dated at 
Fort Nelson (Louisville), October 6, 1781:] — " We should have made a much 
better figure this campaign had it not been for an act passed empowering 
j^our excellency to stop the expedition. It seems it alarmed the country. The 
Greenbrier militia returned; the drafts in this country dispersed; great num- 
bers returned to Virginia that were for the enterprise. It had equally as bad 
an impression on the Monongahela country; as the report happened about the 
time of rendezvous, and proved an excuse for numbers that otherwise would 
have joined the camp. , . . Captain [Isaac] Craig and company of ar- 
tillery return to Pittsburgh, anxious for a second attempt in the Indian 
country." 

^To " emigrate into the Indian country there to establish a government," 
as expressed by Irvine, was a statement somewhat alarming to Pennsylvania; 
for such schemes had been rife in the west for a considerable time, as was well 
known to the authorities of that commonwealth. The plan contemplating a 
new state in the Indian country was one thing; that of forming a new gov- 
ernment which should take in the " disputed territory," quite another. There 
were several schemes all pi-oposing to include not only the last mentioned but 
more or less territory beyond; and all arising from the same causes, namely: 
a " divided allegiance," insufficient protection from the savages, and the zeal 
of a few who hoped to further their own ambitious designs. 

The desire for change was stronger with the Virginians than Pennsylva- 
nians in the trans-AUeghany country, as events had already foreshadowed the 
extension of the boundary line farther westwai-d than the former had gener- 
ally been led to believe it would be located ; hence, the greater number of sup- 
porters of "new state schemes " lived in what (as claimed by Virginia) had 



232 Washinffton-Irvine Correspondence. 

From what observations I have been able to make, I am of 
opinion there are many obvious reasons that no time should be 
lost in running the line between Virginia and Pennsylvania. 
Civil government will never be fairly established till then, nor 
even the militia drawn out with regularity for their own de- 
fense.^ I have no reason as yet to complain of the people for 
the refractory, ungovernable, loose manners generally ascribed 
to them. I assure you, sir, my pity for their situation is 
rather excited than wrath or indignation kindled. I have good 
grounds to believe that the settlements at Kentucky and the 
Falls will break up; — in which case, I fear a number of ad- 
venturers who talk of going down to New Orleans with flour 
will be killed or taken. Council may depend during my stay 
here that no exertions in my power shall be wanting in every- 
thing that may tend to the welfare of the state or protection 
of the inhabitants as far as consistent with my duty as an 
ofScer of the United States. 

P. S. — Please to excuse the omission of personal address. 
We have not heard here who has been elected president [of 
the supreme executive council]. 

been the county of Yohogania. However, severe laws passed by Pennsylvania 
against attempts at forming new governments that should include any of her 
territory, and the employment of judicious means to enlighten the people of 
the west as to the fallacy and danger of opposing them, proved effectual in 
stamping out all designs for the building up of new states any portion of 
which should come within her boundaries. 

' The attention of Washington was called to the same subject by Irvine the 
day previous (ante, p. 80). 

"This country (I moan west of the Monongahela) has ever been considered 
by a majority of its inhabitants, to be within the state of Virginia; and it has 
been under that jurisdiction, without controversy, since the year 1774. But, 
on the publication of the agreement made between the commissioners for the 
two states, Virginia and Pennsylvania, at Baltimore, 1779, a report immedi- 
ately followed that the line would be run without procrastination, in conse- 
quence thereof; this produced a relaxation amongst the officers (particularly 
in the military line) knowing that such an agreement would include the whole, 
or nearly so, of Yohogania county, and by that means the whole country was 
thrown into perfect anarchy and confusion." — Dorsey Pentecost to Pres't 
Reed, July 27, 1781. 



Ap2J>e7idix G. 233 



11. — ^ Moore to Ikvine. 

In Council, Philadelphia, December 17, 1T81. 

§1^; — Your letter of the third of the present month has 
been read in council. 

The loss of Colonel Lochrj with his men and the distressed 
state of the post under your command and the country around 
it, gave us great pain; yet we hope from your vigilance and 
ability that every possible exertion will be made to protect the 
inhabitants as far as their exposed situation will admit of. It 
has been suggested to the general assembly that the best and 
perhaps cheapest means of protecting the frontiers will be 
found in the invasion of the Indian country. How far this 
may be prudent and practicable remains yet to be decided 
upon. Perhaps the disposition of the people of Westmore- 
land county to emigrate into the Indian country may be di- 
verted and applied to this end. Be this as it may, it will be 
certainly proper to endeavor to fill up your battalions with as 
many men as can be obtained in that county; for which pur- 
pose, we shall send you two hundred and fifty pounds to begin 
with, and request that you will, as opportunity offers, commu- 
nicate your success in recruiting, and the prospect which lies 
before you. You may depend on our giving you the earliest 
information of what may be done here, respecting the frontiers. 

^yith respect to the line between this state and Virginia, 
every measure, on our part, has been taken to have had a tem- 
porary line run the last summer; but it has failed of being 
effectual by some omissions of the commissioners appointed 
on the part of that state; and it seems to be impracticable by 
the season, and perhaps unnecessary now to push that measure, 
as preparations are making for running in the spring, a per- 
manent line founded upon astronomical observations. 

We have long suspected that the representation of the state 
of things in Westmoreland has been colored by party resent- 
ments, which we hope will subside, and that harmony be ob- 
tained among the good people of that county, which is so very 
essential to their interest and safety. You will render the 
most acceptable service, at once to the county and to the state, 



23^. WasJmigton-I rvine Correspondence. 

by using your influence to effect so desirable a purpose; and 
the favorable representation you have made of their disposi- 
tions, affords a pleasing expectation that this may be in your 
power, and we have no doubt of your attention to an object 
so important to the command you are entrusted with, aud so 
highly honorable to effect. 



III. — MooRE TO Irvine. 

In Codncil, December 29, 1781. 

Sir: — Our assembly rose last night, having spent most of 
their time about a contested election ; and, I am sorry to add, 
have done but little in regard to supplies for carrying on the 
war this year. However, they have adjourned to the second 
Monday in February, when, I hope, their attention will be 
turned from party disputes to the public service. 

I have sent you under care of Messrs. Meason and Proctor, 
representatives for Westmoreland and Washington counties, 
the sum of five hundred pounds, specie, for the purpose of 
recruiting the Pennsylvania troops under your command.^ 
Nine pounds specie are allowed for each recruit, to serve dur- 
ing the war, now raising here; six pounds specie are allowed 
to each recruit to be raised in the ranging companies, to serve 
during the war. The council repose confidence in you to raise 
the men on the best terms you can; and when this money is 
expended, your orders on us will be met with due honor, for 
any number of recruits you may engage. 

The gentlemen are just going off, and I have only time to 
add that I wish you health and happiness, and success in the 
recruiting business. 

* The following is an extract from the proceedings of the supreme executive 
council of Pennsylvania : 

" In Council, Pnii.ADELPniA, Saturday, December 29, 1781. 
"An order was drawn on the treasurer in favor of John Proctor and Isaac 
Moason, Esquires, for the sum of five hundred pounds specie, to bs forwarded 
to Brigadier General Irvine, for the purpose of recruiting the regiment sta- 
tioned at Fort Pitt for the defense of the western frontiers, for which ho is to 
account." 



Appendix G. ^35 



lY. — Moore to Ikvine. 

Philadelphia, January 7, 1782. 
Sir: — I wrote you a few days since by Messrs. Proctor and 
MeasoD, two of our assembly men, from Westmoreland county, 
who had an order on the treasurer of Lancaster county for 
five hundred pounds specie to be delivered you for the pur- 
pose of recruiting. From their information and the gentle- 
men of the council for the western frontiers,^ we are in hopes 
you will be able to get a considerable number of recruits. As 
it is difficult for want of opportunities, as well as hazardous, 
to send you money hence, if you can get any persons in your 
parts to advance specie for drafts on council, for the purpose 
of recruiting, you may be assured of punctuality in honoring 
them, having laid by in the treasury, separate and apart from 
all monies, a considerable sum for the purpose of recruiting 
only. "We have begun this business here under the superin- 
tendence of Colonel [Richard] Humpton [of the sixth Penn- 
sylvania regiment], who has sent recruiting parties into most 
of the counties of the state. Our line ^ is very thin. General 
Washington is very desirous of having a respectable army in 
the field by the first of March. I hope we shall not be behind- 
hand with our sister states in their complement of men, and 
that every exertion will be used for that purpose. 



Y. — Ikvine to Mooee. 

Carlisle, March 17, 1782. 
Sir: — I find, notwithstanding the precautions taken by the 
honorable, the council, and the vigilance of the recruiting 
officers to prevent British deserters and prisoners entering into 
our service, that several have perjured themselves and are 
actually in service, — some of whom are now in confinement, 

'•Matthew Jack, of Westmoreland, and Dorsey Pentecost, of Washing'ton 
county, were the "gentlemen of the [supreme executive] council for the western 
frontiers," at that date. 

'That is, the Pennsylvania line; consisting of the various regiments, in the 
continental service, belonging to that state (ante, p. 97, note 2). 



236 Washington-Irvine C orresj^ondence. 

at this place, for tliat crime. It is difficult to determine what 
punishment should be inflicted, or what steps would be most 
likel}' to deter those fellows from such conduct. As the crime 
does not properly come under military law, I beg leave to 
suggest a mode to your excellency, which, in my opinion, is 
the most likely to put an entire stop to such pernicious prac- 
tices. 

If council will think proper to order all such put in jail 
and direct the state attorney to prosecute them for perjury 
and the law rigorously executed as the crime may deserve, I 
think a few examples of cropping, pillory, etc., with a publica- 
tion of the reason for such punishment over the state, will 
have a good effect. However, as this is only opinion, and I 
thought it my duty to give council information on the subject, 
I submit the matter to your excellency. Gavin Miller, a Brit- 
ish prisoner of war, is under this predicament, — was enlisted 
by Lieutenant Jones of the second regiment. I have ordered 
him into close confinement in Carlisle jail till your excellency's 
pleasure respecting him shall be made known to the command- 
ing officer at this post. I proceed immediately on my way to 
Fort Pitt. 



YI. — Moore to Irvine. 

In Council, Philadelphia, April 13, 1782. 
Sit: — The council have received information through vari- 
ous channels that a party of militia ^ have killed a number of 
Indians, at or near Muskingum,^ and that a certain Mr. Bull* 
was killed at the same time. The council being desirous of 

' That is, Washington county militia — not volunteers, as were those who 
soon after went upon the Sandusky expedition, under Col. Wni. Crawford 
(ante, p. 113; also p. 118 and note). 

* Reference is here had to the " Gnadenhuetten affair " — the killing of the 
Moravian Indians by the men under Colonel David Williamson a few weeks 
previous, upon the Muskingum; that is, upon what is now known as the Tus- 
carawas, in the present Tuscarawas county, Ohio (ante, pp. 67, 99). 

* Joseph Bull, son of a white man of the same name, but whose mother 
was an Indian woman. The father was known among the Moravian Indians 
as Schebosh; that is, running ivater. 



Ajpjpendix G. 237 

receiving full information on a subject of such importance, 
request you will obtain and transmit to them the facts relative 
thereto, authenticated in the clearest manner.^ 

' How the governor and council of Pennsylvania came into official posses- 
sion of the above facts, the following will show: 

[I.] 

" Relation of what Frederick Leinbach [a Moravian] was told by two of 
his neighbors, living near Delaware river, above Easton, who were just re- 
turned from the Monongahela : 

" That some time in February [1782], one hundred and sixty men living 
upon Monongahela set off on horseback to the Muskingum [that branch now 
called the Tuscarawas], in order to destroy three Indian settlements of which 
they seemed to be sure of being the towns of some enemy Indians. 

" After coming nigh to one of the towns [Gnadenhuetten], they discovered 
some Indians on both sides of the river Muskingum. They then concluded 
to divide themselves into two parties, the one to cross the river and the other 
to attack those Indians on this [the east] side. When that party got over the 
river, they saw one of the Indians coming up towards them. They laid 
themselves flat on the ground, waiting till the Indian was nigh enough, then 
one of them shot the Indian and broke his arm; then three of the militia ran 
towards him with tomahawks. When they were yet a little distance from 
him he asked them why they fired at him, he was Minister Schebosh's 
(John Bull's) son, but they took no notice of what he said, but killed him on 
the spot. They then surrounded the field, and took all the other Indians 
prisoners. The Indians told them that they were Christians and made no re- 
sistance. When the militia gave them to understand that they must bring 
them as prisoners to Fort Pitt, they seemed to be very glad. They were or- 
dered to prepare themselves for the journey, and to take all their eftects along 
with them; accordingly, they did so [prepare]. They were asked how it came 
they had no cattle. They answered that the small stock that was left them 
had been sent to Sandusky. 

" In the evening, the militia held a council, when the commander of the 
militia [David Williamson] told his men that he would leave it to their choice 
either to carry the Indians as prisoners to Fort Pitt or to kill them, when they 
agreed that they should be killed. Of this resolution of the council, they gave 
notice to the Indians by two messengers, who told them, that, as they had 
said they were Christians, they would give them time this night to prepare 
themselves accordingly. Hereupon, the women met together and sung hymns 
and psalms all night, and so did likewise the men, and kept on singing as 
long as there were three alive. 

" In the morning the militia chose two houses, which they called the 
slaughter houses, and then fetched the Indians, two or three at a time, with 
ropes about their necks, and dragged them into the slaughter houses, where 
they knocked them down; then they set these two houses on fire, as likewise 
aU the other houses. This done, they went to the other towns [New Schoeu- 



^38 Washington-Irvine Correspondejice. 

YII. — Ikvine to Moore. 

Fort Pitt, 3Iay 2, 1782. 
Sh': — I did not receive till yesterday your excellency's 
favor of the thirteenth of April. I will make minute inquiry 

brunn and Saleml, and set fire to the houses, took their plunder, and returned 
to the Monongahela, where they kept a vendue among themselves. . . ." 

[II.] 

" Sir: — I received this afternoon aletter of the Reverend Nathaniel [Seidel], 
bishop of the united churches of the brethren, residing at Bethlehem [Pa.], 
dated the 5th instant. He informs me that the same day a melancholy report 
[see the foregoing ' Relation '] was brought to him by one Mr. Leinbach, rel- 
ative to a murder committed by white men upon a number of Christian Indians 
at a place called Muskingum [upon the branch now known as the Tuscarawas]. 
He continues in his letter that the same Mr. Leinbach is to proceed the next 
day to Philadelphia, in order to give congress information how he came to the 
knowledge of that event, so that congress, unless it had already a better ac- 
count of the affair than he can give, might, upon his report, take some meas- 
ures with respect as well of the mischief already done as more which might 
be done, and thus prevent the total extirpation of a congregation of Indians 
converted to the faith of Jesus Christ, and the judgments of Almighty God 
against our dear country, which stands much in need of His divine protection. 
The bishop desires me to give attention to Mr. Leinbach 's report (I have done 
it), and to direct him where he should make his addresses. I make bold, sir, 
to address him to you, and to beg the favor that you introduce him, if possi- 
ble, this night, with the delegates of the state of Virginia, from whence, it is 
said, the mischief originated, and to-morrow morning with congress. 

" Your humanity, sir, gives me confidence to use the freedom to trouble you 
this day — the day set apart for the service of men to their God — about a 
cause which is most properly His own. The tragic scenes of erecting two 
butcher-houses or sheds and killing in cold blood ninety-five brown or tawny 
sheep of Jesus Christ, one by one, is certainly taken notice of by the Shep- 
herd, their Creator and Redeemer. I am, with particular respect, sir, your 
most obedient, humble servant, L. Weiss [Moravian Att'y]- 

"Sunday, 1 April, 1782. To Charles Thomson, Esquire, secretary of 
congress. By [favor of] Mr. Frederick Leinbach." 

[HI.] 

^^Sir: — The enclosed intelligence [Leinbach's 'Relation,' previously given] 
was communicated to congress on Monday last. For your further information 
respecting the channel of intelligence, I beg leave to send you a letter I re- 
ceived on Sunday from Mr. L. Weiss. It is the desire of congress that your 
excellency and the honorable council would be pleased to cause inquiry to be 
made into this matter. . . . Chas. Thomson [Sec'y of Congress]. 

" April 9, 1782. His excellency, William Moore, Esq., president of the 
state of Pennsylvania." 



Apjpendix G. . '239 

into the matter you require and transmit the best accounts I 
can obtain as early as possible [of the " Gnadenhijetten affair "]. 
In the meantime, I beg to refer you to the bearer hereof, Mr. 
David Duncan, whose business leads him pretty much abroad, 
and I am persuaded he can give a tolerable general account.^ 



YIII. — Ikvine to Mooke. 

Fort Pitt, May 3, 1782. 

Sir: — Immediately on receipt of your excellency's letter 

of the 13th of April, I wrote to Colonel [James] Marshel,^ 

who ordered out the militia^ to go to Muskingum [to that 

branch now known as the Tuscarawas],* for his and Colonel 

^ The first published account of the progress of the expedition to the " Mus- 
kinsrum," is to be found in the Pennsi/lvania Packet of April 16, 1782, and 
in the Pennsylvania Gazette of the next day. It is as follows: 

" A number of men, properly provided, collected and rendezvoused on the 
Ohio, opposite the Mingo bottom [the Mingo bottom already spoken of 
as just below what is now Steubenville, Ohio], with a design to surprise the 
above towns [previously described as ' Indian towns upon the Muskingum ']. 
The weather was very cold and stormy, the [Ohio] river high, and no boats or 
canoes to transport themselves across. These difficulties discouraged some, 
but 160 [about 100] determined to persevere, and they swam the river, in do- 
ing of which some of their horses perished with the severity of the cold. 
When they got over, officers were chosen, and they proceeded to the towns 
on the Muskingum [that is, to the branch of that stream now known as the 
Tuscarawas]." 

^ Irvine's letter to Marshel has not been found. 

' That Marshel, who was lieutenant of Washington county, had authority 
to order out the militia, the following will show: 

" In CounciTj, Philadelphia, Tuesday, January the 8th, 1782. 

" Ordered, That the lieutenants of the counties of . . . Westmore- 
land and Washington be authorized and empowered to call out such and so 
many militia, according to law, as they may judge necessary for repelling the 
enemy." 

* This letter establishes the fact that the men who went to the " Muskin- 
gum" were not only militia, but that they were ordered out by the highest 
military authority of Washington county. Marshel had become tired of 
"volunteer plans." (See Appendix J, — Marshel to Irvine, November 20, 
1781.) The Pennsylvania Packet of April 16th (No. 872) and the Pennsyl- 
vania Gazette of the next day have this to say concerning the origin and ob- 
ject of this expedition to the " Muskingum :" 

" In a late paper we gave an account that a woman and three children had 
been carried off by the savages from their habitation near Fort Pitt; and in 



'BJIfi Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

[David] "Williamson's report of the matter.^ Colonel William- 
son * commanded the party. Inclosed you have their letters 
to me on the subject, by way of report. 

our paper of the 9th|6th]insfc. we mentioned an advantage being gained over 
those Indians. By a gentleman who arrived here [Philadelphia] on Satur- 
day last [April 13th, 1782], from Washington county [Pennsylvania], we have 
the following particulars : That on the 17th [10th] of February last, the wife and 
three children of one Robert Wallace, an inhabitant on Raccoon creek (dur- 
ing his absence from home), were carried off by a party of Indians. Mr. 
Wallace, on his return home in the evening, finding his wife and children 
gone, his house broke up, the furniture destroyed, and his cattle shot and lay- 
ing dead about the yard, immediately alarmed the neighbors, and a party 
was raised that night, who set out early the next morning ; but unfortu- 
nately a snow fell, which prevented their following, and they were obliged to 
return. About this iime [day unknown], a certain John Carpenter was taken 
prisoner from the waters of Buffalo creek in said county [Washington], and 
another party had fired at a man, whom they missed, and he escaped from 
them. These different parties of Indians, striking the settlements so early in 
the season, greatly alarmed the people, and but too plainly evinced their [the 
Indians'] determination to harass the frontiers; and nothing could save them 
[the frontier people] but a quick and spirited exertion. They therefore came 
to a determination to extirpate the aggressors and, if possible, to recover the 
people that had been carried off'." 

Michael Huffnagle writing from Hannastown, March 8, 1782, says: "The 
savages last Sunday three weeks took into captivity two families upon Raccoon 
and Short creeks below Pittsburgh. I am afraid the first good weather we 
may expect a stroke upon some of our frontiers here." The following is con- 
firmatory of the fact of the early visitations of the savages: 

" The intelligence which has been received from the frontiers of the state 
respecting the ravages of the Indians, and the murders which they have oom- 
mitted at this early season, leaves no room to doubt of their determination to 
exert their utmost power to distress us during the year, and confirms the ac- 
counts we had received from Fort Pitt, Washington [county], etc., of the com- 
binations formed by them for that purpose." — Pres't Sup. Ex. Conn, to Gen. 
Assent., April 2, 1782. (See also, p. 99, note 2, and p. 155 and note thereto.) 

■ It will be observed that, in the above letter, the declaration of General 
Irvine that Colonel Marshel "ordered out the militia [of Washington county] 
to go to Muskingum " is unequivocal; and that, for that reason, he wrote to 
him for his official "report of the matter," and for that of Colonel AVilliam- 
son, who commanded the party. But why " go to Muskingum " (that is, to 
that branch of the river now known as the Tuscarawas) ? Leinbach (ante, 
J). 235, note) answers the question: " In order to destroy three Indian set- 
tlements of which they [the militia] seemed to be sure of being the towns of 
some enemy Indians [that is, warriors — Marauding Indians]." 

* For a notice of David Williamson, see Appendix M, — Williamson to 
Irvine, June 13, 1782, note. 



Appendix G. 'B.'^.l 

I have inquiries making in other quarters; — when any well 
authenticated accounts come to mj knowledge, they shall be 
transmitted. 



IX. — Irvine to Moore. 

Fort Pitt, Maxj 9, 1782. 
Sir: — Since my letter of the third instant to your excel- 
lency, Mr. Pentecost^ and Mr. Canon ^ have been with rae. 
They and every intelligent person whom I have conversed with 
on the subject,^ are of opinion that it will be almost impossi- 
ble ever to obtain a just account of the conduct of the militia 
at Muskingum.* No man can give any account except some 

' Dorsey Pentecost ; a resident of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and, at 
the above date, a member of the supreme executive council of his state. His 
home was about six miles a little to the east of north of the present town of 
Washington, the county seat of that county. 

* John Canon; a prominent citizen of Washington county, at the above date, 
and a member of the assembly. (For a notice of him, see Appendix J, — 
Marshel to Irvine, April 2, 1782, note.) 

^ Among those talked with by Irvine was John Carpenter, who had escaped 
from the savages, as hereafter mentioned. (See Cincinnati Commercial, May 
24, 1873.) 

^ The following official letters sent by Pentecost to Moore give information 
concerning the " Gnadenhuetten affair:" 

[I.] 

" Pittsburgh, May 8th, 1782. 

" Dear Sir: — I arrived at home last Thursday, without any particular acci- 
dent. Yesterday I came to this place; have had a long conference with Gen- 
eral Irvine and Colonel Gibson, on the subject of public matters, particularly 
respecting the late excursion to Kushocton [the Tuscarawas]. That affair 
[killing the Moravian Indians] is a subject of great speculation here, — some 
condemning, others applauding the measure; but the accounts are so various 
that it is not only difficult, but almost, indeed entirely impossible to ascer- 
tain the real truth. No person can give intelligence but those that were along; 
and, notwithstanding there seems to have been some difference amongst 
themselves about that business, yet they will say nothing ; but this far I be- 
lieve may be depended on, that they killed rather deliberately the innocent 
with the guilty, and it is likely the majority was the former. I have heard it 
insinuated that about thirty or forty only of the party gave their consent or 
assisted in the catastrophe. . . . 

"It is said here, and I believe with truth, that sundry articles were found 
amongst the [Moravian] Indians that were taken from the inhabitants of 
16 



QJf^ WasJiington-Irvine Correspondence. 

of the party themselves; if, therefore, an inquiry should ap- 
pear serious, they are not obliged nor will they give evidence. 
For this and other reasons, I am of opinion further inquiry 
into the matter will not only be fruitless, but, in the end, may 
be attended with disagreeable consequences. 

Washington county, and that the [MoravianJ Indians confessed themselves 
that, when they set out from St. Duskie [Sandusky], ten warriors came with 
them, who had went into the settlements, and that four of them were then in the 
[Moravian] towns, who had returned. If those [Moravian] Indians that were 
killed were really friends, they must have been very imprudent to return and 
settle at a place they knew the whites had been at, and would go to again, 
without giving us notice and, besides, to bring warriors with them, who had 
come into the settlements and after murdering would return to their towns 
and of course draw people after them, filled with revenge, indignation, and 
sorrow for the loss of their friends, their wives, and their children. . . . 

" Dorset Pentecost." 

[II.] 

" Pittsburgh, May 9, 1782. 

'^ Dear Sir: — Since writing the letter that accompanies this, I have had an- 
other and more particular conversation with General Irvine on the subject of 
the late excursion to Kushacton [the Tuscarawas]; and, upon the whole, I find 
that it will be impossible to get an impartial and fair account of that affair; 
for, although sundry persons that were in [the] company may disapprove of the 
whole or every part of the conduct [of those engaged in the killing], yet from 
their connection they will not be willing, nor can they be forced to give testi- 
mony, as it affects themselves. And the people here are greatly divided in 
sentiment about it; and on [an] investigation may produce serious effects, and 
at least leave us as ignorant as when we began, and instead of rendering a 
service may produce a confusion and ill-will amongst the people; yet I think 
it necessary that [the supreme executive] council [of Pa.] should take some 
cognizance or notice of the matter and in such a time as may demonstrate 
their disapprobation of such parts of their conduct as are censurable ; other- 
wise, it may be alleged that [the Pennsylvania] government, tacitly at least, 
have encouraged the killing of women and children; and in a proclamatioa 
of this kind, it might be well not only to recommend but to forbid that, in 
future excursions [expeditions], that women, children, and infirm persons, 
should not be killed, — so contrary to the law of arms as well as Christianity. 

" I hope a mode of proceeding something like this would produc(} some good 
effects and perhaps soften the minds of the people; for it is really no wonder 
that those who have lost all that is near and dear to them, go out with deter- 
mined revenge and extirpation of all Indians. . . , 

"DoRSEY Pentecost." 

It has been mentioned that "a certain John Carpenter" was captured by 
the savages previous to the militia being called out by Marshel "to goto 
Muskingum " (ante, p. 239, note 4). He afterwards escaped from his captors. 



Appendix G. 2)^3 

A volunteer expedition is talked of against Sandusky, wliich, 
if well conducted, may be of great service to this country. If 
they behave well on this occasion, it may also, in some meas- 

Carpentcr's report as published in the Pennsylvania Packet of April 16th, 
1782, was as follows: 

" The person above mentioned [John Carpenter] to have escaped from the 
enemy says that he was taken by six Indians, two of which called themselves 
'Moravians,' and spoke good Dutch [German] and were the most severe and 
ill-natured to him. He was taken to the above towns [previously mentioned as 
' Indian towns upon the Muskingum '] and from thence four of the above 
Indians [who had captured Carpenter] set out with him for St. Duskie [San- 
dusky]. The second day of their march, in the morning, he was sent out for 
the horses, when he left them, and being a good woodsman came off clear, 
and got to Fort Pitt [reaching the settlements before the militia started for 
the "Muskingum"]. 

"While at Muskingum, the two Moravian Indians learnt [taught] him an 
Indian song, which they frequently made him sing, by way of insult, and af- 
terward interpreted to him in obscene language ; and he [Carpenter] left them 
[the two Moravian Indians] at Muskingum, where they stayed in order to go 
out with the next party against our settlements." 

The following contains additional particulars of Carpenter's escape: 

"A man of the name of John Carpenter was taken early in the month of 
March, in the neighborhood of this place [Wellsburgh, Brooke county. West 
Virginia]. There had been several warm days, but the night preceding his 
capture there was a heavy fall of snow. His two horses which they [the 
savages] took with him, nearly perished in swimming the Ohio. The Indians 
as well as himself, suffered severely with the cold before they reached the Mo- 
ravian towns on the Muskingum [that is, the branch now known as the 
Tuscarawas]. In the morning after the first [2d] day's journey beyond the 
Moravian towns, the Indians sent out Carpenter to bring in the horses which 
had been turned out in the evening, after being hobbled. The horses had 
made a circuit and fallen into the trail by which they came the preceding day, 
and were making their way homeward. When he overtook the horses and had 
taken oft" their fetters, as he said, he had to make a most awful decision. He 
had a chance and barely a chance, to make his escape, with a certainty of 
death should he attempt it without success ; on the other hand the horrible 
prospect of being tortured to death by fire, presented itself, as he was the 
first prisoner taken that spring; of course, the general custom of the Indians 
of burning the first prisoner every spring, doomed him to the flames. After 
spending a few minutes in making his decision, he resolved on attempting an 
escape, and effected it by way of Forts Laurens, Mcintosh, and [Fort Pitt] 
Pittsburgh. If I recollect rightly, he brought both his horses home with him. 
This happened in the year 1782." — Doddridge's Notes (new ed.), pp. 263, 
264. Compare, in this connection, the Cincinnati Commercial, May 24, 1873, 
as to Carpenter's capture and escape. This was the same Carpenter previously 
mentioned (ante, p. 197, note) as a new state justice of the peace. 



SJf^ Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

ure, atone for the barbarity they are charged with at Mus- 
kingum.^ They have consulted me and shall have every coun- 
tenance in my power, if their numbers, arrangements, etc., 
promise a prospect of success. 

Another kind of expedition is also much talked of, which 
is to emigrate and set up a new state. This matter is carried 
so far as to advertise a day of general rendezvous (the 25th 

instant). A certain Mr. J is said to be at the head of this 

party. He has a form of constitution actually written by him- 
self for the new government. I am well informed he is now 
on the east side of the mountain trying to purchase or other- 
wise provide artillery and stores. A number of people, I 
really believe, have serious thoughts of this matter; but I am 
led to think they will not be able, at this time, to put their 
plan into execution. 

Should they be so mad as to attempt it, I think they will 
either be cut to pieces or they will be obliged to take protec- 
tion from and join the British. Perhaps some have this in 
view; though a great majority are, I think, well meaning peo- 
ple, who have at present no other views than to acquire large 
tracts of land. 

As I thought a knowledge of these intentions might be use- 
ful to the executives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, the emi- 
grants being now subjects of both states, I have written to the 
governor of Virginia on the subject also.^ 

Mr. J has been in England since the commencement 

of the present war. Some people think he is too trifling a 

^The expedition here spoken of is the one which marched against Sandusky 
under Col. Wm. Crawford. It has been supposed by some, owing to the 
loose wording of the paragraph, that the same men who took part in Will- 
iamson's expedition were also those who afterward marched against San- 
dusky; but Williamson's men, as we have seen, numbered only about one 
hundred who crossed the Ohio, and were exclusively of Washington county 
militia (ante, p. 236, note 1); while the volunteers against Sandusky numbered 
four hundred and sixty-eight and were from Washington and Westmoreland 
counties, Pennsylvania, and from Ohio county, Vuginia. (See Appendix J, — 
Marshel to Irvine, May 29, 1782.) 

' See Appendix H, — Irvine to Harrison, April 20, 1782. It is evident from 
what Irvine says that he refers to the establishing of a new state beyond the 
Ohio, in the Indian country. (Ante, p. 109.) 



Appendix G. 2]^ 

being to be worthy of notice. Be tins as it may, he has now 
many followers; and it is, I think, highly probable that men 

of more influence than he are privately at work. J , it is 

said, was once in affluent circumstances — is now indigent — 
was always open to corruption. I have no personal knowl- 
edge of the man; and have this character of him in too gen- 
eral terms to be able to assert it is genuine.^ 

No considerable damage has been done by the savages since 
my arrival here last. The whole of killed and captured that I 
have any account of amounts only to six souls. I think they 
must be either preparing for a great stroke or apprehensive of 
a visit from us.^ 



X, — Moore to Irvine. 

In Council, Philadelphia, May 30, 1782. 

Sir: — Your favors of the 2d, 3d and 9th of the present 

month, with the representations made by Colonel Williamson 

and Colonel Marshel,^ have been read in council and shall be 

immediately laid before congress^ as a matter of high impor- 

' That any of those favorinsr the scheme had intentions of taking protection 
from, and joining the British, is possible but very doubtful; that some engaged 
in the movement were stimulated by prospects of preferment, is probable; but 
that a great majority had, as Irvine expresses it, "no other views than to 
acquire large tracts of land," or, perhaps, of obtaining cheap lands, is quite 
certain. 

° There is another copy, evidently the first draft of this letter, extant, in the 
handwriting of Irvine, which is ditterent^y arranged and somewhat differently 
worded from the above. 

^The fact that the letters of Marshel and Williamson here referred to, and 
which had been obtained by Irvine, were the official reports of the expedition 
that resulted in the killing of the Moravian Indians — " the Gnadenhuetten 
affair " — naturally awakens an interest in their recovery; all efforts, however, 
in that direction have thus far been fruitless. 

*The two letters were sent by the governor to the Pennsylvania delegates in 
congress, as the following proceedings show: 

" In Council, Philadelphia, Monday, June 3, 1782. 

"The council took into consideration several letters from General Irvine, 
respecting a proposed emigration from western parts of the state, and respect- 
ing the killing of a number of Indians at Muskingum [on the branch now 
known as the Tuscarawas] . . . and thereupon 

" Ordered, that the letters from General Irvine of the third and ninth inst. 



^Ji.6 Washington-Irvine Corresjpondence. 

tance to the reputation of this state, and to the general interest 
and honor of the United States.^ We request that you will 
continue your inquiries on this subject and transmit us such 
information from time to time as may come to your knowl- 
edo'e tendino; to elucidate this dark transaction.'^ 

The proposed immigration appears to be a dangerous meas- 
ure; and if the circumstances which you mention respecting 

[ult.], with the representations of Colonels Marshel and Williamson, be laid 
before congress, and that they be transmitted to the delegates of the state in 
congress for that purpose." 

Virginia, also, took measures to inquire into the " Gnadenhuetten affair," as 
the following from the Fennsylvania Packet, June 11, 1782 (No. 896), shows: 

*' Richmond, Va., June 1 [1782J. 

"Reports from our northwestern frontier mention some very daring inroads 
of the Indians, who, it is said, have cut off several families settled upon the 
branches of the Monongahela. . . . We learn that [the Virginia] govern- 
^ ment have appointed persons [Colonel William Crawford and another] to in- 
quire into the circumstances of the late massacre of the Moravian Indians at 
the Muskingum towns, which we have great reason to fear has been a very 
unjustifiable aggression." 

' These words only tend to increase the anxiety to know the particulars of 
"the representations" made by Marshel and Williamson concerning the 
"Gnadenhuetten affair." 

'^ In a message sent the general assembly of Pennsylvania by President 
Moore, August 14th, following, he says: "We had great reason to appre- 
hend a severe blow would be aimed at the frontiers by the Indians. Om* 
fears, in this respect, have been but too well justified by events that have since 
happened, and there is reason to believe that the blow has fallen with re- 
doubled force, in consequence of the killing of the Moravian Indians at Mus- 
kingum [upon that branch now known as the Tuscarawas], an act which 
never had our approbation or countenance in any manner whatever." Tho 
report of the committee of the assembly upon so much of his message as re- 
lated to the killing of the Moravian Indians was made the next day, as fol- 
lows: 

" Your committee are of opinion that an inquiry, on legal principles, ought 
to be instituted respecting the killing of the Moravian Indians, at Muskin- 
gum — an act disgraceful to humanity and productive of the most disagreeable 
and dangerous consequences. 

'^Resolved, therefore, that this house will give every support in their power 
to the supreme executive council toward prosecuting an inquiry respecting the 
killing of the Moravian Indians at Muskingum." 

Nothing further, however, was ever done in an official way, either by the 
United States, Pennsylvania or Virginia, " tending to elucidate the dark 
transaction." 



Appendix G. • ^^7 

Mr. J can be ascertained, he ought to be secured as a 

British emissary employed to inveigle away our citizens and 
place them in a situation which must compel them to put 
themselves under the protection of the British as the only 
means by which they can be secured from the ravages of the 
Indians. Such an event would afford a plausible story, which 
the British would seize with avidity and represent at every 
court in Europe as an instance of submission to them on the 
part of America; — a story which might be extremely injuri- 
ous to America, and such as no man who has a due regard to 
his country would give a countenance to by any act of his. 

The recruiting service is of so ranch importance that we 
cannot forbear to inquire anxiously what success you have in 
it and to request you will transmit to us a return of the re- 
cruits you have obtained as early as possible. 

As to the expedition you mentioned, we can only say, we 
confide in your zeal and prudence to direct the force which 
may be in your power in the most effectual manner for cover- 
ing the frontiers.^ 

XI. — Irvine to Mooee. 

Fort Pitt, July 5, 1782. 

Sir: — There have been many meetings in this county re- 
specting taxes. It is said, and I fear with truth, that a great 
majority of the people are determined not to pay any in any 
mode. It is also said that they are advised to this by some of 
the first people of the country. 

The running the boundary line has been again put a stop to 
by a party of men who call themselves Yirginians. It seems 

^ The carefully prepared instructions issued by Irvine to the officer who was 
to command the expedition against Sandusky (p. 118, note); the sparing of 
his favorite aid-de-carap, John Rose, to act as his representative upon that 
enterprise; and the sending of one of his surgeons to accompany the vohin- 
teers into the wilderness; show conclusively that he exercised not only the 
proper zeal but great prudence in directing, so far as it was in his power, the 
force afterward commanded by Col. Wm. Crawford, " in the most effectual 
manner for covering the frontiers, " in hopes that it would give ease and safety 
to the inhabitants thereof. 



3Ji,8 Wasl^ngton-Irviiie Correspondence. 

the commissioner on the part of Virginia did not attend. Mr. 
McClean has been with me to ask nij advice liow to proceed, 
and to know whether I conld spare any continental troops to 
assist. I could not well spare them; besides, on maturely con- 
sidering the circumstances, 1 was of opinion it would not 
be proper for me to enforce the business with continental 
troops on the part of Pennsylvania; particularly as the com- 
missioner from Virginia did not attend. I might be charged, 
perhaps, with promoting a quarrel between the two states. I 
therefore advised Mr. McClean to call on Colonels Cook [lieu- 
tenant of Westmoreland county], and Marshel [lieutenant of 
Washington county], and get them to assist him in represent- 
ing fully to council this transaction, as well as the supposed 
cause of such conduct, and to bring if possible into view the 
principal secret actors in this and other (I think treasonable) 
acts. I believe this is done or will be in a few days. I also 
saw Colonel Marshel, who informed me he was collecting qual- 
ifications for this purpose.^ I think Colonel Marshel is one of 

' In August, 1763, Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, of London, England, 
were selected by Lord Baltimore and the Penns to complete the boundary line 
between the provinces of Maryland and Pennsylvania. They were both emi- 
nent surveyors. The line they run has received their names — "Mason and 
Dixon's line;" figuratively, the dividing line between the northern and southern 
states of the Union. 

Mason and Dixon's line was extended in 1767 to a point a little west of what 
is now Mount Moms, in Greene county, Pennsylvania; but this was a pro- 
ceeding wholly independent of Virginia; and it was the intention of Penn- 
sylvania to have extended the line to what was considered the southwest cor- 
ner of the state. The surveyors, however, were stopped by the Indians at the 
point just mentioned. In 1781, for the sake of settling the minds of the 
people and preventing further disputes among the borderers, a temporary line 
was proposed to be run by common surveyors from the termination of Mason 
and Dixon's line, to a point twenty-three miles distant, that being the extent 
of five degrees, by common computation, from the Delaware river, which was 
the limit west of Pennsylvania. To run this temporary line, Alexander Mc- 
Clean was appointed in 1781, on the part of Pennsylvania. But his labors 
were interrupted. He was re-appointed in April, 1782, as shown by the follow- 
ing extract from the proceedings of the supreme executive council of Pennsyl- 
vania: 

"PniLAPELPirrA, April 6, 1782. 

^^ Ordered, That Alexander McClean, Esquire, be appointed on the part of 
Pennsylvania, to run the line between this state and Virginia agreeably to in- 



Appendix G. 2^9 

the most active, zealous supporters of government in this 
country. 

This moment Dr. Kniglit^ has arrived, the surgeon I sent 
with the vohinteers to Sandusky. He was several days in the 
hands of the Indians, but fortunately made his escape from 
his keeper, wlio was conducting hiiu to another settlement to 
be burned. He brings the disagreeable account that Colonel 
Crawford and all the rest (about twelve to the doctor's knowl- 
edge) who fell into their hands, were burned to death in a 
most shocking manner;^ the unfortunate colonel, in particu- 
lar, was over four hours in burnino-. The reason thev assio-n 
for this uncommon barbarity is retaliation for the Moravian 
affair. The doctor adds, that he understood those people [the 
Moravian Indians] had laid aside their religious principles, and 

structionsto be given liim for that purpose and that his appointment be under 
the seal of the state." Thereupon, a resolution of the Virginia house of del- 
egates was passed as follows : 

, " In THE House OF Delegates, 

^^Saturdatj, the 1st of June, 1782. 

" Resolved, That the governor be empowered andi-equired to appoint a sur- 
veyor who shall with such person or persons as may be appointed by the state 
of Pennsylvania, extend Mason and Dixon's line from the western termina- 
tion thereof 23 miles due west and mark the same; and from thence to run 
and mark a meridian line to the Ohio river to answer the purpose of a tem- 
porary boundary; and that the governor do order out such a number of the 
militia as may be necessary for a guard during the time the said surveyor 
shall be running and marking the said line." 

This was agreed to June 6, 1782, by the senate; but too late for the surveyor 
appointed to reach the mouth of Dunkard creek, where Mr. McClean had 
gathered his stores, and where on the tenth of that month a party of horse- 
men, about thirty in number, appeared on the opposite side of that river and 
opposed his beginning the survey. (See Appendix J, — Marshelto Irvine, June 
15, 1782.) However, in November following, in conjunction with Joseph Neville, 
a surveyor appointed by Virginia, he finished the temporary line ; the perma- 
nent one to the Ohio not being completed until 1785. 

^ By this it will be seen that Irvine made a mistake in the date of Knight's 
arrival, in his letter to Washington of July 11th (ante, p. 126). It should 
have been July 5th. 

^In Irvine's letter to Washington (ante, p. 126), \vritten seven days later, 
when Dr. Knight had somewhat recovered from his sufferings in the wilder- 
ness, his account is much more accurately given than in the above. All the 
prisoners then known by the doctor to have suffered death, except Crawford, 
were tomahawked. 



250 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

have gone to war; that he saw two of them bring in scalps 
whom he formerly knew.^ 

The people generally seem anxious to make another trial, 
and press me to take command of them. Their proposals are 
to raise volunteers, provisions and horses, by subscription, at 
their own expense, without making any charge against the 
public, unless they should hereafter think proper to reimburse 
them. They also promise to obey orders, etc. The first of 
August is the time talked of to march. I have not yet deter- 
mined whether to go or not, but in the meantime I am getting 
in returns of men, horses and provision subscribed. The 
arrangement made for covering the frontier has hitherto 
answered well; not more than four or five have been killed the 
two last months that I have heard of; but I much fear I shall 
not be able to keep the militia out much longer for want of 
provision. 

I will, next opportunity, transmit a return of the Pennsyl- 
vania troops at this post and the attestations of the recruits. 



XII. — Irvine to Moobe. 

Fort Pitt, Jtdy 16, 1782. 

Sir: — Enclosed is a copy of a letter which is the best ac- 
count I have been able to get of the unfortunate affair related 
in it.^ 

The express sent by Mr. Huff'nagle through timidity and 
other misconduct, did not arrive here till tliis moment (Tues- 
day, 10 o'clock), though he left Hannastown Sunday evening, 
which I fear will put it out of my power to come up with the 
enemy, they will have got so far if they please; however, I 

' How completely is now reversed what has for years been considered as one 
the facts of western history, viz.: that the object of Crawford's expedition 
was to murder the remnant of the Moravian Indians upon the Sandusky. 
We find, instead, the enterprise directed wholly against ' ' enemy Indians, " and 
that some " Moravians " gone back into heathenism, actually fought against 
the Americans, on that occasion. 

^ It is probable that the letter referred to by Irvine was one written by 
Michael Huffnagle to him, hereafter given. (See Appendix M, — Huffnagle 
to Irvine, July 14, 1782.) 



Appendix G. <251 

have sent several reconnoitering parties to try to discover 
whether they have left the settlements and what route they 
have taken.^ 

' HufFnagle soon after wrote the following to Moore : 

" Fort Reed, July, 1782. 
"Sir: — I am sorry to inform your excellency, that last Saturday, at two 
o'clock in the afternoon, Hannastown was attacked by about one hundred 
whites and blacks [Indians]. We found several jackets, the buttons marked 
with the king's eighth regiment. At the same time this town was attacked, 
another party attacked Fort Miller, about four miles from this place. Han- 
nastown and Fort Miller, in a short time, were reduced to ashes, about twenty 
of the inhabitants killed and taken, about one hundred head of cattle, a 
number of horses and hogs killed. Such wanton destruction I never beheld, — 
burning and destroying as they went. The people of this place behaved 
bravely; retired to the fort, left their all a prey to the enemy, and with twenty 
men only, and nine guns in good order, we stood the attack till dark. At 
first, some of the enemy came close to the pickets, but were soon obliged to 
retire farther off. I cannot inform you what number of the enemy may be 
killed, as we see them from the fort carrying off several. 

" The situation of the inhabitants is deplorable, a number of them not 
having a blanket to lie on, nor a second suit to put on their backs. Affairs 
are strangely managed here; where the fault lies I will not presume to say. 
This place being of the greatest consequence to the frontiers, — to be left desti- 
tute of men, arms, and ammunition, is surprising to me, although frequent 
applications have been made. Your excellency, I hope, will not be offended 
my mentioning that I think it would not be amiss that proper inquiry should 
be made about the management of the public affairs in this county; and also 
to recommend to the legislative body to have some provision made for the 
poor, distressed people here. Your known humanity convinces me that you 
will do everything in your power to assist us in our distressed situation. I 
have the honor to be your excellency's most obedient, humble servant, 

" Mich. Huffnagle. 
"His Excellency, William Moore, Esq'r, Pres't, Philadelphia." 
The following is an extract from a letter written by Ephraim Douglass at 
Pittsburgh. July 26, 1782: 

"My last contained some account of the destruction of Hannastown, but it 
was an imperfect one — the damage was greater than we knew, and attended 
with circumstances different from my representation of them. There were 
nine killed and twelve carried off prisoners, and, instead of some of the 
houses without the fort being defended by our people, they all retired within 
the miserable stockade, and the enemy possessed themselves of the forsaken 
houses, from whence they kept a continual fii-e upon the fort from about 
twelve o'clock till night, without doing any other damage than wounding one 
little girl within the walls. They carried away a great number of horses and 
everything of value in the deserted houses, destroyed all the cattle, hogs, and 



^5^ Washington- Irvine Correspondence. 

I fear this strolve will intimidate the inhabitants so nuieh 
that it will not be possible to rally them or persuade them to 
make a stand; nothing in my power shall fee left undone to 
countenance and encourage them. But I am sorry to acquaint 
your excellency, there is little in my power — a small garrison 
scantily supplied with provision, rarely more than from day 

poultry within their reach, and burned all the houses in the village except two ; 
these they also set fire to, but fortunately it did not extend itself: so far as to 
consume them; several houses round the country were destroyed in the same 
manner, and a number of unhappy families either murdered or carried off 
captives — some have since suffered a similar fate in different parts — hardly 
a day but they have been discovered in some quarter of the country, and the 
poor inhabitants struck with terror thro' the whole extent of our frontier. 
Where this party set out from is not certainly known; several circumstances 
induce the belief of their coming from the heads of the Alleghany or toward 
Niagara, rather than from Sandusky or the neighborhood of Lake Erie. The 
great number of whites known by their language to have been in the party, 
the direction of their retreat when they left the country, which was toward 
the Kittanning, and no appearance of their tracks, either com.ing or going, 
having been discovered by the ofiicer and party which the general ordered on 
that service beyond the river, all conspire to support this belief." 
The letter which follows contains information also upon the same subject: 

" Pittsburgh, Juhj 30, 1782. 

^'^ Dear Sir: — I have taken the liberty of writing you the situation of our 
unhappy country at present. In the first place, I make no doubt but you have 
heard of the bad success of our campaign against the Indian towns [Craw- 
ford's campaign against Sandusky], and the late stroke the savages have given 
Hannastown, which was all reduced to ashes except two houses, exclusive of a 
small fort [Reed], which happily saved all who were so fortunate as to get to it. 
There were upwards of twenty killed and taken, the most of whom were 
women and children. At the same time, a small fort [Miller] four miles from 
thence, was taken, supposed to be by a detachment of the same party. I 
assure you that the situation of the frontiers of our county is truly alarming 
at present, and worthy our most serious consideration. . . . 

" I make no doubt but you will be informed of a campaign that is to be 
carried against the Indians by the middle of the next month. General Irvine 
is to command. 1 have my own doubts. I have the honor to be your humble 
and obedient servant, David Duncan. 

"Honorable [James] Cunningham, Esq'r, Member of Council from Lan- 
caster, Philadelphia." 

The following extract from a letter written by General Irvine to Washing- 
ton on the 27th of January, 1788, shows the origin of the attack upon Han- 
nastown, and that the enemy came from the "heads of the Alleghany," as 
Douglass surmised: "In the year 1782, a detachment composed of three 



Appendix G. ^53 

to day, and even at times days without — add to this that, in 
all probability, I shall be, in the course of a few days, left 
without settlers in my rear to draw succors from. I have not 
time to add [more], having found a Mr. Elliott who is in- 
stantly setting out for Lancaster, from whence he promises to 
forward this. 

XIII. — Irvine to Moore. 

Fort Pitt, July 25, 1782. 

8i7\' — The destruction of Hannastown put the people gen- 
erally into great confusion for some days. The alarm is partly 
over, and some who fled are returning again to their places; 
others went entirely off. I have got the lieutenant of the 
county [Colonel Edward Cook] and others prevailed on to en- 
courage some of the inhabitants to re-occupy Hannastown, by 
keeping a post or small guard there.^ 

Inclosed are duplicates of the attestations of all the men 
enlisted here. The success in recruiting was so bad and the 
men also ordinary, that I thought it most prudent to desist. 
Several of those enlisted turned out to be deserters, one in 
particular [James Gordon] from our own line, whom I in- 
stantly executed, which I hope will deter others. Perhaps be- 
fore winter some few better men may be got. Mr. Huffnagle 
informed me he had provided some provision (on a contract 
with [the supreme executive] council) for a ranging company 
and some militia ordered by Colonel Cook,^ — and being in 

hundred British, and five hundred Indians, was formed and actually embarked 
m canoes on Lake Jadaque [Chautauqua Lake], with twelve pieces of artil- 
lery, with an avowed intention of attacking Fort Pitt. This expedition . . . 
was laid aside in consequence of the reported repairs and strength of Fort 
Pitt, carried by a spy from the neighborhood of the fort. 

"They then contented themselves with the usual mode of warfare, by send- 
ing small parties on the frontier, one of which burned Hannastown." (Ante, 
p. 140, note 8.) 

' Hannastown continued to be occupied for some time after in a limited way. 

^It will be seen from the following extract from a letter of Edward Cook, 
lieutenant of Westmoreland county, to the governor of Pennsylvania that he 
used every expedient to aid those who suffei-ed by the attack upon Hannastown : 
"Westmoreland County, September 2, 1782. 

" Sir: — It may be necessary to inform your excellency that upon an applica- 



SBJ}. Washington-Irvine C orrespondence. 

extreme pinch for ctish applied to me; and, as there was no 
immediate purpose the recruiting money could be applied to, 
1 let him have one hundred and thirty-seven pounds. He 
promised to bring me your excellency's order or replace the 
money, neither of which has been done. I beg to have your 
excellency's pleasure in the matter, that in case you should not 
think proper to place it to his account and give me credit, I 
may immediately look to him for it. The remainder shall be 
either kept till a proper time to begin recruiting again, or 
disposed of as you think proper to direct.^ 



XIV. — Irvine to Moore. 

Fort Pitt, Awjiist 28, 1782. 
Sir: — I have been repeatedly informed that a certain Mr. 
-, an attorney, has been one of the chief advisers of the 



people of this country against paying taxes, and that at a 
numerous meeting, he publicly recommended opposing the 
collectors by violence. I presume this has already been rep- 
resented to your excellency by some civil officers, as a justice 
of the peace of Washington county was my principal in- 
formant, who I, at the time, told should have all the military 
under my command to assist, if necessary, to support the civil 
authority. !No application has ever been made to me for any 
such purpose. My reason for troubling your excellency with 

tion made to me by some of the distressed inhabitants of Hannastown and 
the vicinity thereof, T have allowed them to enroll themselves under the com- 
mand of Captain Brice and draw rations for two months, upon their making 
every exertion in their power to keep up the line of the frontiers. 

"The ranging company, consisting of about twenty- two privates and two 
officers, is stationed atLigonier for the defense of that quarter." 

' From the following, it appears that Irvine again loaned him about the 
same amount of the money belonging to the state : 

" Fort Pitt, August 22, 1782. 
" Received and borrowed from Brigadier General William Irvine, one hun- 
dred and thirty-two pounds and eight shillings, specie (money belonging to 
the state of Pennsylvania), which we promise to pay to General Irvine the first 
day of October next or bring an order from [the supreme executive] council 
[of Pa.] on him for that sum. Micir. Huffnagle, 

"David Duncan." 



Appendix G. £55 

this account of 's conduct at present is, that I under- 
stand he is about to leave this country immediately, and means 
to go to Philadelphia, and also expects admittance in the 
supreme court. 

Xy. — MooKE TO Irvine. 

In Council, Philadelphia, September 4, 1782. 

Sir: — The situation of affairs on the frontiers have engaged 
the serious attention of both the council and general assem- 
bly, the result of which has been a conference with some of 
the delegates of congress, in which it has been agreed to pro- 
pose to his excellency. General Washington, to carry three ex- 
peditions into the Indian country: one from Fort Pitt; one 
from Northumberland, into the Genessee country; and one 
toward Oswego, from such place as the general shall think 
most practicable. 

In order to have this business forwarded in the most decisive 
manner, General Potter^ on the part of council and Colonel 
[Robert] Magaw^ on the part of the general assembly are 
gone to headquarters to determine on this proposal, and are 
expected to return within a few days. 

What will be the general's sentiments and determination on 
this subject it is not possible, at present, to determine; yet it 
seems to be proper to give you this hint, of which you will 
make such jise as you may find occasion ; and you may depend 
on the earliest information upon the return of the commis- 
sioners from headquarters.^ 

' Major General James Potter, at that date vice president of the supreme 
executive council of Pennsylvania. 

'For notice of Col. Magaw, see Appendix M, — Magaw to Irvine, Sep- 
tember 10, 1782, note. 

* See Magaw to Irvine, just cited, for a full description of the visit of the 
commissioners to General Washington and the result of their conference. 



^56 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 



XYI. — Irvine to Mooke. 

Fort Pitt, Septemler 9, 1782. 
Sir: — I liave to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency's 
favor of the 10th [13th] of Angust.^ Matters have been so 
qniet in this quarter since the beginning of August, that I could 
almost wish the militia may not come np; it will be fatiguing 
to them and expensive to the public. But I could not think 
myself at liberty to countermand them, not knowing the true 
cause of their beino- ordered.^ 



XYII. — MooRE TO Irvine. 

In Council, Philadelphia, Septemher 18, 1782. 

Sir: — An expedition from Fort Pitt being agreed on, and 

the orders relative thereto of course transmitted to you by the 

secretary of war, we now transmit to you an estimate of the 

expense for your information of the idea entertained here 

' Not found. It is evident from what follows and from the tenor of a sub- 
sequent letter to the secretary at war (Irvine to Lincoln, September 12, 1782, 
ante, p. 82) that it gave Irvine information that one hundred and fifty militia 
from the counties of York and Cumberland were to be sent to Fort Pitt. 
The letter of Irvine to Lincoln, just mentioned, and the proceedings of 
the supreme executive council of Pennsylvania, an extract from which is given 
in the note following, fix the date of the letter from Moore to Irvine as of the 
13th of August, instead of the 10th, as mentioned above. 

■^ The following is an extract from the proceedings of the supreme executive 
council of Pennsylvania of August 13th, 1782: 

"The council took into consideration a resolve of congress of the 8th instant 
recommending to the states of Pennsylvania and Virginia immediately to 
draw out and order to Fort Pitt, each state one hundred and fifty men, prop- 
erly officered and accoutred, to be under the orders of the commanding 
officer of that post, to enable the said officer more effectually to cover and 
protect the country. That the secretary at war and superintendent of finance 
take order that proper magazines be laid up in the said fort, which may en- 
able the commanding officer, in case the said post should be invested by the 
enemy, to render it tenable until relieved ; and thereupon, 

" Ordered, That the lieutenant of the county of York, and the lieutenant 
of the county of Cumberland, do immediately furnish seventy-five men from 
each of the said counties, according to law, and send them forthwith to Fort 
Pitt." 



Appendix G. ^57 

respecting it, and some kind of rule on that head. We are 
sensible of the difficulties attending this business, and the ab- 
solute necessity of the utmost expedition being used, and 
therefore authorize you to appoint such persons to procure the 
provisions, pack-horses, and stores, as you may judge most 
capable of the extraordinary exertion which in this case is 
required. This the council think the importance of the ob- 
ject and their confidence in your prudence and integrity will 
justify; and, in order to give you the fairest opportunity the 
nature of the case will admit of, we transmit to you by Mr. 
[John] Carnahan the sum of fifteen hundred pounds.^ The state 
engages to pay the expense in the first instance, and for this 
purpose will forward the money to you from time to time as 
they perceive it will be necessary; but the council hope it will 
not exceed the estimate now sent to you.^ 

Whoever shall be appointed by you for these purposes will 
be required to procure clear vouchers of their expenditures 
and to make clear distinctions between the rations issued to 
the continental troops and those issued to the militia; and so 
of all other expenditures. I wish you success in the arduous 
task before you. 

XYIII. — MooKE TO Irvine. 

In Council, Philadelphia, October 5, 1782. 
Sir: — The council ^sent you by Mr. Carnahan, the sura of 
fifteen hundred pounds, for the purpose of forwarding the 
expedition into the Indian country. This expedition being 

' The following is an extract from the proceedings of the supreme executive 
council of Pennsylvania, of September 18, 1782: 

" An order was drawn on the treasurer in favor of John Carnahan, Esquire, 
for fifteen hundred pounds specie, to be paid by him to Brigadier General 
Irvine at Fort Pitt, for providing provisions, pack-horses, stores, etc., for the 
expedition carrying on against Sandusky towns." 

* This was the estimate sent Irvine: "Expense of an expedition to San- 
dusky — 1,200 men for 30 days: 

"36,000 rations, at lOd., £1,500; 180 horses, at 3s, £1,080; 160 sacks at IDs., 
£80; 20 drivers, 80 days, at 3s. 9d., £112; 2 horse masters, at Ts. 6d., £80; 
13 kegs, £3." 
17 



£68 Washington-Trvine Correspondence. 

now laid aside,^ you will please to pay tlie money to the order 
of Robert Morris, Esq., superintendent of finance, who en- 
gages to account for it here, a_o;reeable to the order of general 
assembly appropriating the whole sum of which this is a part. 
You will also please to give council the earliest account of the 
payment of the superintendent's drafts, in order that the 
money may be charged to him, and the whole business imme- 
diately be closed. 

XIX. — Irvine to Moore. 

Fort Pitt, Octoher 8, 1782. 

Sir: — I am honored with your excellency's two letters of 
the 4th and 18th of September; the last, by Mr. Carnahan 
with the money, did not arrive here till the 5th instant. This 
delay and the detachment of Gen. Hazen's regiment not coming 
at the time proposed will unavoidably prevent my moving so 
soon as was intended. I have sent an officer express^ to meet 
and hasten General Hazen's men, and though I am not cer- 
tain what day they can arrive, take for granted, if at all, they 
will be here before the 20th; and, as the business would be 
impracticable later, have fixed on that day to march from Fort 
Mcintosh, a post thirty miles advanced of this place. 

Sixty rangers are counted to me as part of the men for the 
expedition. These I am not yet informed where they are to 
come from. Three hundred militia ordered by congress from 
below the mountain are also counted. These are not only so 

* On the 28th of September, 1782, the [supreme executive] council received 
a letter from Washington, dated 23d of that month, expressing his opinion 
that the expeditions into the Indian country should be declined — the council 
thereupon ordered that they should be given up; also, 

" Ordered, That the lieutenants of . . . Westmoreland and Washington 
counties call out no more militia after the expiration of the time of those now 
in service; his excellency, General Washington, having received intelligence 
that the British have called in all the savages, and that no more parties are to 
be permitted to be sent out against the frontiers." (As to the savages having 
been called in, see pp. 128, note; 135, note 2; and 184.) 

- One of the ofhccrs constituting this "officer express " was John Rose. (See 
Appendix J, — Marshelto Irvine, October 21, 1782; also, Appendix K, — Irvine 
•tO' Cook, October 10, 1782.) 



Ajjpendix G. 259 

far short of the number, but so few of them are fit, or in any 
manner clothed or equipped for such service, that most of 
them would be a dead weight or incumbrance; add to this, 
their term of service is nearly expired. I must therefore de- 
pend solely on the few regulars and what volunteers can be 
raised on this side the mountain. If about six hundred 
actually assemble, I am determined to make the attempt, par- 
ticularly as I have some reason to hope General Clark will co- 
operate with us, if this last delay does not prevent it; as I had 
concerted measures with him that he should attack the Shaw- 
anese at the same time I did Sandusky. One of the expresses 
to him was wounded on his way down the river and narrowly 
escaped falling into the enemy's hands. I have sent another 
to him since that time, and a third since I received your last 
dispatches, in order to halt him a few days till I could get ready. 
The estimate will be found in general too low, and several 
things omitted which cannot be dispensed with. The calcu- 
lation for a horse to carry two hundred [weight] is too high;^ 
however, you may depend I will spare no pains to have the 
business done on the lowest terms. I have appointed Mr. 
John Irwin, of Pittsburgh, the principal agent. If you should 
think proper to send any money in my absence, you will be so 
good as to address it to him subject to my orders. It would 
not be possible to procure the supplies in so a short time on any 
other plan than to purchase provisions from the volunteers 
which they had collected for their own use on the original 
plan of carrying the expedition. I mean, therefore, to order 
the whole to the place of general rendezvous; there have the 
whole appraised, and pay for it in bulk. Though some una- 
voidable waste will take place, yet I hope, on the whole, it will 
come within the price the rations are estimated at. The 
greatest difficulty with me is the uncertainty of the quantity, 
which cannot be ascertained till the whole is collected, but 
there is no alternative.^ 

' In the estimate sent Irvine the number of horses is put down at 180, 
and the rations (pounds) at 36,000, making 200 for each animal. (Ante, p. 257, 
note 2.) 

''Two letters known to have been written by Irvine to Moore (or Dickinson) 



260 Washington-Irvine C orresj^ondence. 



XX. — Ikvine to Dickinson.^ 

FoKT Pitt, January 1, 1783. 

Sir: — Inclosed I transmit to your excellency an account of 
a sum of money delivered to me by Colonel Carniilian and in- 
tended toward defraying the expenses of an expedition against 
the Indian settlements on Sandusky. You will easily con- 
vince 3'ourself that, notwithstanding every preparation being 
adequate to the exertions necessary, and notwithstanding the 
delay of the orders countermanding my march, the expenses 
incurred are inconsiderable. I am in hopes even of putting 
off the kegs at no disadvantage. 

A balance of the money sent me for the purpose of recruit- 
ing the Pennsylvania line remains in my hands. I expect 
your excellency's orders in what manner to dispose of it. The 
different trials liave all proved unsuccessful, not only in the 
number of recruits, but with respect to the objects them- 
selves. 



XXI. — Ievine to Dickinson. 

FoKT Pitt, June 3, 1783. 

Bir: — My anxiety to arm council against insidious men, 
to see infamous combinations against the interest of the state 
checked, jealousies between the civil and military subside, 
peace and harmony restored among all ranks, — will, I flatter 
myself, be an apology for this intrusion. 

I am informed that companies are formed and plans laid in 
Philadelphia and other places for purchasing on their own 

dated respectively 27th and 29th of October, 1782, have not been found. A 
brief outline of them, however, has been preserved. That of the 27th referred 
to the fact that additional expenses had been incurred for the defense of the 
frontiers. The one dated the 29th spoke of people settling beyond the Ohio 
north, within the boundaries of Pennsylvania; mentioning also, it seems, the 
fact of their intention to divide the state and form a new one. 

' On the 7th of November, 1782, John Dickinson was elected president of the 
supreme executive council of Pennsylvania (becoming thereby the governor in 
fact and in law of the state) in place of Moore, whose term of office had 
expired. 



Appendix G. 261 

terms, large tracts of the prime lands which are appropriated 
by law for the redemption of officers' and soldiers' certificates. 

From anything I can learn, it will require great vigilance 
and a decisive line of conduct in the executive authority to 
prevent baneful effects, particularly as I have reason to believe 
those companies intend connecting themselves with the sur- 
veyors; and I am certain the military will keep a watchful eye 
on the whole of this transaction. If, therefore, the surveyors 
should by any finesse mistake or otherwise break over the 
bounds prescribed by law, troublesome turbulencies may ensue. 

A mode occurs to me which I think will avoid the latter, 
namely: for council to order the whole tract laid off as 
bounded by law, previous to a single survey being made (ex- 
cept the reserved tracts), and this not to be done by any sur- 
veyors who are or may be appointed to districts within the 
tract; at least, without being joined by some person under the 
immediate order of council, who may perhaps judge it ex- 
pedient to appoint some military officer for this purpose. 
There are sundry young gentlemen of the line well qualified 
for such business. 

I am of opinion that the tracts reserved for the state at Forts 
Pitt and Mcintosh should be laid off and some person 
appointed to take care of them, particularly at Fort Pitt, 
previous to the troops at this post being discharged; other- 
wise, the timber will be destroyed and land abused. I presume 
some person may be got to take charge of it for such privileges 
as will not injure the place — but from an indirect informa- 
tion only. 

I have been led insensibly to advise [these measures] which 
I hope you will attribute not to arrogance but to zeal.^ 

* Irvine had, for a considerable period, zealously guarded the country be- 
yond the Ohio and Alleghany, within the bounds of Pennsylvania, from 
intrusive settlers, as the following order shows: 

"Order, Fort Pitt, February 25, 1783. 

" Any person who shall presume to ferry either men or women over the 
Ohio or Alleghany rivers or shall be found crossing over into what is generally 
called the Indian country between the Kittanning and Fort Mcintosh without 
a written permit from the commanding officer at Fort Pitt, or orders for that, 
purpose — until further orders shall be treated and prosecuted for holding or 



^62 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 



XXII. — Dickinson to Ikvine. 

In Council, Jtily 3, 1783. 

Sir: — "We are obliged to you for the communication in 
your letter of the 3d last; and have given such instructions 
to the surveyor general as we hope will be of use in prevent- 
ing the mischief apprehended.-' 

We should also be glad if you would procure due care to be 
taken of the two tracts appropriated to the state, and prevent 
the timber from being destroyed.^ 

aiding others to correspond with and give intelligence to, the enemy. This 
order to be in force until civil government thinks proper to direct otherwise." 

The country north and west of the Ohio and Alleghany rivers, to the west- 
ern line of the state, as afterward determined, was claimed and occupied by 
different tribes of Indians, whose title thereto was extinguished by deed to the 
state from the chiefs of the Six Nations, for the sum of five thousand dollars, 
at the treaty of Fort Stanwix (now Rome), New York, Oc'ober 23, 1784; and 
by deed from the chiefs of the Wyandots and Delawares, for the sum of three 
thousand dollars at a treaty held at Fort Mcintosh (now Beaver, Pennsyl- 
vania), January 21, 1785. 

' The general assembly of Pennsylvania, by their resolve of March 7, 1780, 
promised certain donations of land to be laid off to their officers and soldiers 
at the end of the war; and after that, by a particular law, appropriated the 
lands belonging to that state, which lay westward of the Alleghany and Ohio 
rivers, for that purpose and for the object of redeeming certificates of depre- 
ciation. The letter of Irvine of June 3 (not found), undoubtedly gave in- 
formation of trespassers settling upon these lands. The governor, by a 
proclamation dated July 31, 1788, warned all persons from locating thereon. 

^Instructions forH. Lee and John McClure from Brig. Gen'l Irvine: 

" You are to take immediate charge of the fort, buildings and public prop- 
erty now remaining at the post of Mcintosh for and in behalf of the state of 
Pennsylvania (except two pieces of iron cannon and some water casks, the 
property of the United States) and three thousand acres of land reserved for 
the use of said state. When the tract is surveyed you will attend and make 
yourselves acquainted with the hnes; in the meantime you will consider it ex- 
tending two miles up and down the river, and two miles back. You will take 
care that no waste is committed, or timber cut down or carried off the prem- 
ises, and prohibit buildings to be made or any persons making settlements or 
to reside thereon, or from even hunting encampments; nor are any more fam- 
ilies to be permitted than your own to live in the barracks or any part of the 
tract. In case of necessity for re-occupying the post for the United States, 
you are to give up the fort to the orders of the commanding continental 
officer at this place, retaining only such part of the buildings as may be neces- 



Appendix G. '263 

We wish to do everything we can for the benefit of the 
state and for rendering justice to the officers and soldiers, and 
therefore should certainly appoint some military gentlemen to 
act in conjunction with the surveyor, if we had the power. 

sary for you to live in. But if the troops should be so numerous as not to 
afford room for you, you will, in that case, occupy the buildings without the 
works or build for yourselves on some convenient place. But you will on no 
account whatever quit the place without orders from the executive council of 
Pennsylvania or their agent, so to do, whose directions you will hereafter obey 
in all matters relative to said post and tract of land. In case of lawless vio- 
lence, or persons attempting to settle by force, or presuming to destroy any- 
thing on the premises, you will apply to Michael Huffnagle, Esquire, or some 
other justice of the peace for Westmoreland county. 

"For your care and trouble in performing the several matters herein re- 
quired, you may put in grain and labor any quantity of ground not exceeding 
one hundred acres, and keep or raise stock to the number of fifty head of 
horned cattle and eight horses. You will govern yourselves by these instruc- 
tions until the pleasure of the honorable council is signified to you; and you 
will give up peaceable possession to them or their order whenever they think 
proper. Given under my hand at Fort Pitt, September 23, 1783. 

" Wm. Irvine. B. Gen'l. 

* ' We severally engage to conform to the foregoing instructions to us by 

General Irvine. H. Lee. 

"Jno. McClure, 
" Witness, John Rose." 

Instructions from Brigadier General Irvine to James Boggs : 

" Fort Pitt, September 30, 1783. 

"You are to take charge of the tract of land opposite Fort Pitt reserved 
for the use of Pennsylvania, and not suffer any waste or destruction to be 
done of timber, or cut or carried off the premises except what is herein men- 
tioned. You will on no account allow roads to be made through the tract, or 
landing places other than the old one formerly used by Indian traders and 
lately by the garrison. You will cautiously avoid giving offense to the com- 
mandant at this post; and if any trespasses are committed or violence used 
you will lodge regular complaint to Michael Huffnagle, Esq., or some other 
justice of the peace for Westmoreland county. 

"You are, for your trouble and care, allowed to clear land and raise crops 
so as not to exceed one hundred acres and you may keep stock not to exceed 
twenty horned cattle and six horses. You are not to permit any buildings 
whatsoever to be erected, except for the use and convenience of your own fam- 
ilies. You may, however, allow the troops of this garrison to cut and carry 
off firewood, if the commanding oSicer finds it expedient to take from them, 
but you must keep and render an account to council of the quantity so taken. 
You will also hereafter govern yourselves by such orders or instructions as 
you may receive from his excellency the president of the state; and you will 



^6^ Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

The measure would in all probability be advantageous; and 
we shonld be pleased if your prudence would avail itself of 
your situation to secure the Pennsylvania line against the 

render peaceable possession when required by him or the lawful agent of the 
honorable the council, or take such lease as they shall think proper. 

" Wsi. Irvine. 

"I engage to act conformably to the above instructions from General 
Irvine. James Boggs. 

" Witness, David Duncan. 

«' jq-, B. — Until the tract is surveyed, it is considered to extend two miles 
down the Ohio river and two miles up the Alleghany and two miles back." 

The " tract," it seems, was in a state of nature, not very inviting, if we are 
to judge of it from its appearance subsequent to this date, as depicted by the 
surveyor of it in a letter to the governor and council of Pennsylvania, from 
Washington, that state, written Februaiy 19, 1788. The writer says: 

"This country has never experienced a winter more severe. The mercury 
has been at this place 12 degrees below the extreme cold point. At Muskin- 
gum 20, and at Pittsburgh, within the bulb or bottle. The difference may in 
part be accounted for by the inland situation of this place, and gi-eater or 
lesser quantities of ice at the others. It has been altogether impossible for 
me, until within these few days past, to stir from the fireside. 

" On Thursday last, I went with several other gentlemen to fix on the spot 
for laying out the town opposite Pittsburgh, and at the same time took a general 
view of the tract and find it far inferior to my expectations, although I had 
been no stranger to it. There is some pretty low ground on the River Ohio 
and Alleghany, but there is but a small proportion of dry land, which ap- 
pears anyway valuable, either for timber or soil; but especially for soil. 
It abounds with high hills, and deep hollows, almost inaccessible to a surveyor. 
I am of the opinion that if the inhabitants of the moon are capable of re- 
ceiving the same advantage from the earth which we do from their world — I 
say, if it be so — this same famed tract of land would aftbrd a variety of beau- 
tiful lunar spots, not unworthy of the eye of a philosopher. 

" I cannot think that ten acre lots, on such pitts and hills, will possibly 
meet with purchasers unless, like a pig in a poke, it be kept out of view. 
Would it not be more of advantage to the state if the legislature would alter 
the law that a town and a reasonable number of outlots, for the accom- 
modation of the town, be laid out, the remainder of the land to be laid out 
in 200 acre lots — fronting the river when practicable — and extending back so 
as to include the hilly and uneven ground which might be of some use to a 
farm; I cannot but believe that Colonel Trwin and Colonel [Alexander] 
Lowrey, both members of the assembly, and who know the land well, will, 
on consideration, be of the opinion with me, that small lots on sides of those 
hills, can never be of any use but as above mentioned. Perhaps council may 
think proper to lay the matter before the legislature. I shall go on to do the 
business as soon as the weather will admit; and, before I shall have pro- 



Appendix G. 265 

schemes of those projectors who prefer their own gain to more 
generous considerations. 



ceeded farther than may accord with the plan here proposed, I may have 
the necessary information whether to go on as the law now directs or not. 

" I have the honor to be, your excellency's and the Hon. council's most 
obedient servant, David Redick." 



APPENDIX H. 



CORRESPONDENCE WITH BENJ. HARRISON, GOVERNOR OF 

VIRGINIA. 



I. — Ikvine to Harrison. 

Fort Pitt, April 20, 1782. 

Sir: — In obedience to the ordinance of congress of the 
24th of September last, and also the commander-in-chief's in- 
structions, for making arrangements with the continental troops 
under my command, combined with the militia on the west 
side of the Laurel Hill, in the states of Virginia and Penn- 
sylvania, I wrote the lieutenants of Monongalia and Ohio 
counties^ to attend a general meeting at this post the 5th 
instant, of the lieutenants and field officers whose opinions I 
wanted respecting the mode of defense, the number of men 
necessary, and. several otlier matters. Colonel [David] Shep- 
herd [lieutenant of Ohio county, Virginia] attended and in- 
formed me he had nothing in his power — most of the men in 
his district being now enrolled in Pennsylvania. Colonel 
[John] Evans [lieutenant of Monongalia county, Virginia] <iid 
not attend, but wrote me that the number of effective men in 
his district did not exceed 300; that they were so scattered as 
to form a frontier of eighty miles; and begged of me in the 
most earnest manner to assist him with men, arras, ammuni- 
tion, etc. 

The frontiers of Virginia and Pennsylvania are so connected 
that very few more men would guard both than each will re- 
quire if they act separately. For this reason, I wanted a junc- 
tion of the whole and intended to detach as circumstances 
should require. As at present I cannot expect any from Vir- 
ginia I am making such arrangements as that part of the 
Pennsylvania militia will cover some of Virginia; but this 
mode I fear will not long be complied with on the part of 

' See Appendix M, — Irvine to John Evans, March 28, 1782. 



Appendix H. ^67 

Pennsylvania, as they will think hard to be obliged to guard 
Yirginians. The Virginians on the other hand complain that 
they have not an equal share of protection and expect that I 
will cover them with continental troops. I need not enumer- 
ate to your excellency many reasons which put this entirely 
out of my power. The council of Pennsylvania have directed 
their civil officers to order out, agreeable to law, such numbers 
of militia from time to time as I may think proper to demand. 
The Virginia civil officers on this side the Hill say they have 
no such instructions from your excellency, consequently I can- 
not draw them out, except as volunteers, who rarely render 
much service. I flatter myself you will excuse this trouble 
when I assure your excellency that as well from inclination as 
duty, I wish to give assistance and support to the inhabitants 
of both states in proportion to the support I receive from civil 
authority; and that as a continental officer I have no local 
attachment. 

Here I will take the liberty to observe as matter of opinion 
that unless measures are taken very soon to run the boundary 
line between Virginia and Pennsylvania and a regular admin- 
istration of civil government takes place in both states, every- 
thing will be in utter confusion. I^ew governments are much 
talked of being set up. I am told this scheme is carried so 
far that a day is appointed (by advertisement) to meet for the 
purpose of emigrating to establish a new government.* lam 
instructed by his excellency, General "Washington, that he 
would give direction for a proportion of recruits of the Vir- 
ginia line being sent to this district; but as Colonel Gibson 
will write your excellency on this subject, I need not trouble 
you. 

This will be handed to your excellency by Lieutenant 
Thomas, who is an intelligent gentleman and can give you 
every necessary information respecting the affairs of this 
country. 



* A certain Mr. J , who, 'tis said, is not long from 

England^ is at the head of the emigrating party, and some say 
has actually a form of a constitution for the new government 
ready written. 



^68 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 



II, — Harrison to Irvine. 

In Council [Va.], May 22, 1782. 

Sir: — Your favor of the 20th ult., by Lieutenant Thomas, 
came safe to hand. Orders liave been long since sent hence 
to the counties of Augusta and Hampshire to send to Monon- 
galia seventy men to assist in guarding the frontiers of that 
county. These troops I expect will probably be stationed at or 
near Tygart's Valley and the West Fork. As these posts are at 
too great a distance from you, I suppose it would be improper 
to remove the men from them, though I perfectly agree in opin- 
ion with you that it would be generally better to place the 
whole defense of that country under one commander; for 
which reasons orders are now sent to the commanding ofhcers 
of Monongalia and Ohio [counties], to furnish so many men 
as they can spare to assist you;^ though there is one great ob- 
struction to your plan, which is, that as our law now stands 
the militia of this state cannot be removed out of it. The 
assembly may probably make some alteration in the law; if 
they do, I shall advise you of it. 

Measures are taking for running the boundary line between 
the two states, and I expect commissioners M'ill meet for that 
purpose at the extremity of the Maryland line on the 10th 
da}'- of July next, which I hope will quiet the people and rec- 
oncile them to the present governments.^ 

' See Appendix M, — John Evans to Irvine, June 30, 1782. 

"^ Concerning this paragraph, Gen. Irvine in a letter to Alexander McClean, 
of Uniontown, Pa., afterward wrote: 

" ' Measm-es are taking for running the boundary b'ne between the two 
states and I expect commissioners will meet for that purpose at the extremity 
of the Maryland line on the 10th day of July next, which I hope will quiet 
the people and reconcile them to the present governments. '" 

" The above is extracted from Governor Harrison's letter to me, dated 22d 
May, 1782; but whether he made a mistake in the date, and intended June, 
but made it July, or whether there has been a mistake originally in the time 
proposed for meeting, I know not." 



Appendix H. 269 



III. — Harrison to Irvine. 

Virginia Council Chamber, August 21, 1782. 

Sir: — On a requisition from congress to assist you with 
one hundred and fifty men, I have ordered seventy-five from 
each of the counties of Frederick and Berkeley to join you at 
Fort Pitt. I expect they will obey the order with cheerful- 
ness, but if they do not and should halt at the boundary line, 
I have no power to compel them to go over it, I therefore 
recommend it to your consideration whether it would not be 
better to employ them in this country (where I think they 
may be usefully stationed to prevent the incursions of the In- 
dians) than to order them into Pennsylvania, at the hazard of 
being disobeyed. 

I have been exceedingly alarmed by a letter from the conti- 
nental secretary of war, received yesterday by express, in- 
forming me of an intended attack on your fort, and the danger 
he thought it was in of falling into the hands of the enemy; 
as such an event would be attended with the most distressing 
circumstances as well to the frontier inhabitants of this state 
as of Pennsylvania, I have thought it my duty to take such 
steps as may be necessary for the relief of the fort in case it 
should be invested, and have therefore issued orders to the 
several counties most convenient to hold seventeen hundred 
men in constant readiness to march at the shortest notice for 
that service, and have appointed General Edward Stevens ^ to 
the command of them, to whom you will please to give notice 
if your apprehensions of being invested should continue.^ 

' See Appendix M, — Stevens to Irvine, August 25, 1782. 
^Extract from the Pennsj/lvania Packet, 5 Sept., 1782 (No. 933): 
"Richmond (Virginia), August 24. Certain accounts are . . . received 
of an expedition being intended against Fort Pitt by the British and their 
Indian allies. From the vigorous measures adopted by this state and Penn- 
sylvania, we have reason to hope their designs will be effectually counteracted, 
and at the same time will convince the public of their real views in holding 
out the idea of peace." 



^70 Washington- l7'vine Correspondence. 



lY, — Ikvine to Harrison. 

Fort Pitt, September 3, 1782. 

Sir: — I am honored with your excellency's letter of the 21st 
of August. About the middle of July, appearances threatened 
an investiture of this place or a total destruction of the settle- 
ments on this side of the mountains. Hanna's, a county town, 
was attacked and burnt, about twenty were killed and taken 
there and in the vicinity. Wheeling was, at the same time, 
in some degree blockaded; a large body of Indians kept skulk- 
ing about it for five or six days. In short they appeared in all 
quarters, and the alarm and consternation of the inhabitants 
were as great as can be conceived.^ 

Since the beginning of August all has been perfectly quiet. 
I have not heard of a single person being killed, nor scarce of 
an Indian being seen. I am not apprised of any late infor- 

' Extracts from newspapers of 1782, relative to the attack on Hannastown : 

[I-] 
" Philadelphia, July 30. Prom Westmoreland county, 16 July. On the 13th 
a body of Indians came to and burnt Hannastown, except two houses. 
The inhabitants having received notice of their coming, by their attacking 
some reapers who were at work near the town, fortunately (except 15 who 
were killed and taken) got into the fort, where they were secure." — Penn- 
sylmnia Packet, 30 July, 1782 (No. 917). 

[II.] 
" Richmond, Aug. 17. By our last accounts from the northwestern frontier 
we learn that the Indians have lately destroyed Hannastown and another 
small village on the Pennsylvania side, and killed and captured the whole of 
the inhabitants." — Pennsylvania Packet, 27 Aug.. 1782 [No. 929J. 

[III.] 
" Extract of a letter from Fort Pitt, dated Sept. 3: 'From the middle to 
the last of July, the Indians have been very troublesome on the frontiers of 
this country — Hannastown was burned, several inhabitants killed and taken, 
and about the same time Fort Wheeling [Henry] was blockaded for several 
days; for two weeks the inhabitants were in such consternation, that a total 
evacuation of the country was to be dreaded [feared]; but since the beginning 
of August matters have been more quiet, and the people have again, in a 
great degree, got over their panic.'" — Pennsylvania Packet, 1 Oct., 1782 
[No. 944]; Salem Gazette, Oct. 17, 1782. 



Appendix H. 271 

mation respecting the designs of the enemy against this place, 
except what your excellency's letter contains, and I am entirely 
at a loss to know whether the secretary at war grounds his 
fears on the alarming accounts received from here or on intel- 
ligence received from another quarter. If the one hundred 
and fifty militia come on from Berkeley and Frederick, I will 
employ them as you advise (on the frontiers of their own 
state). But from the present calm state things are in, I would 
almost wish they would not come, particularly on account of 
feeding them, which is almost impossible. As congress have 
demanded them, and may be possessed of information un- 
known to me, I dare not positively countermand their march, 
but really their coming will embarrass me much. 

I have been some time meditating and preparing for an ex- 
cursion into the Indian country, which, if accomplished, will, 
I hope, nearly put an end to the Indian war in this quarter. 
My troops on this occasion are chiefly to be volunteer militia 
of the country, who propose not only to equip and feed them- 
selves but also to provide provision for such continental troops 
as I shall be able to take from the post. I am more sanguine 
in this business, having last night received an express from 
General Clark in order to concert measures for a descent from 
his quarter at the same time.^ 

' Extract from the Pennsi/lvania Packet, Oct. 1, 1782 (No. 944): 
"Richmond (Virginia), September 21. Late accounts from the north- 
western settlements contradict the report formerly published of an action be- 
tween our people and the Indians at the mouth of Wheeling. 

"We hear an expedition is intended against the Indian towns on the 
waters of Lake Erie, the people in the neighborhood of Fort Pitt having been 
extremely irritated with the injuries received from those savages." 



APPENDIX I. 



WILLIAM DA VIES, VIRGINIA SECRETARY AT WAR, TO IRVINE. 



"War Office, Yirginia, April 12, 1782. 
Sir: — The incursions of the Indians into the county of 
Monongalia^ and the number of the inhabitants they have 
killed, have induced government to order a company from 
Hampshire to march to their relief, to be under the immediate 
command of Colonel Evans [lieutenant] of Monongalia. The 
defense of these people being a continental as well as state ob- 
ject, I have desired Colonel Evans to maintain a correspondence 
with you, not doubting of your readiness to co-operate in re- 
pelling the common enemy, as far as may be consistent with 
the more particular duties of your command at Fort Pitt. 
From the knowledge I have of your character, and the small 
acquaintance I had the honor to have with you in the army, 
I have taken this liberty more explicitly to address you, as 1 
hope the people will meet with a more speedy and efficacious 
assistance from you in their present distress than the urgency 
of their circumstances can admit from a dependence upon gov- 
ernment, who are so far removed from them; and in this ap- 

* In October, 1776, the northwestern part of Virginia — then known as the 
District of West Augusta — was divided into three counties: Yohogania, Ohio, 
and Monongaha. (Ante, p. 24, note 2.) Before the date of the above letter, 
Tohogania county had become extinct, leaving only Ohio and Monongaha 
counties west of the western boundary line of Maryland. The north line of 
the latter county extended west from the western bouudaiy of Maryland along 
the boundary line between Pennsylvania and Virginia to the dividing ridge 
whence the waters flowed east into the Monongahela and west into the Ohio. 
West of this ridge (which in its southerly course divided the two counties) was 
Ohio county, extending to the Ohio river and including the whole of what is 
now known as the " Pan-handle." The present counties of Ohio and Monon- 
gaha in West Virginia are remnants of the original ones just mentioned. 



Appendix I. '27S 

plication, I have a firmer confidence in your readj' attention 
to it from the reflection that one Virginia regiment composes 
a part of your command. The people of Monongalia are dis- 
tressed for ammunition as well as a few arms, both of which in 
the low state of our finances we find it extremely difficult to 
forward them. If therefore you have any to spare, particu- 
larly ammunition, it will be serving them essentially, and shall 
be replaced as soon as it can be forwarded; and as two or three 
hundred weight will be sufficient, or indeed half that quantity, 
I am in hopes it can be spared by you without inconvenience. 
I am also to beg your assistance towards the support of Gen- 
eral Clark,' so far only as to facilitate the transportation and safe 
conduct of a quantity of military stores forwarded from Kich- 
raond and other places for the support of the inhabitants down 
the Ohio, as well as to enable him, if practicable, to act offen- 
sively against the Indians, The stores are forwarded under the 
care of a Mr. Carney, whose principal difficulty will be in pro- 
curing boats, an escort, and provisions for them. If you can 
afford him any assistance in either of these points you will be 
rendering a very essential service to the exposed inhabitants 
of the new country, and perhaps enable General Clark to make 
such a diversion against the Indians below as may have a 
happy influence in securing the dependencies of Fort Pitt in 
peace and quietness. 



II, 

War Office, Yirginia, May 1, 1782. 
Sir: — I had the honor to address you some time since on 
the subject of supplies to General Clark. You will find by 
the enclosed extract the dangerous situation in which that 
country stands. I fear with all our exertions, we shall not be 
able to afford assistance in proper time. The letter from Gen- 
eral Clark did not reach me until last Saturday. I am there- 
fore very uneasy about his present situation. A guard of 
fifty men is thought suflficient by government, but how to get 

' General George Rogers Clark, then at Fort Nelson (Lou'sville), Kentucky. 
18 



^7J^ Washington-Irvine C orresj^ondence. 

them is the question. If any persons will go down under the 
command of the officers entrusted with the stores, the govern- 
ment of this state will allow them the pay of militia, both for 
going and coming and for their provisions. This offer may be 
accepted by many, who are desirous of going to that country. 
"We are also put to great inconvenience for boats, and I fear 
without your assistance we shall suffer. It would delay us too 
long to wait till boats could be built for transporting our 
stores. Onr principal dependence must therefore be in hiring 
them, upon condition of paying for them altogether should 
they not return by a certain reasonable period. Upon this 
subject, I have also written Colonel Crawford^ and Major 
[John] Hardin^ and have sent the latter thirty pounds specie 
for that purpose, and should that be insufficient, his draft 
should be immediately honored as far as fifty pounds in the 
whole. But, sir, I must depend greatly upon your assistance 
in this matter, as I fear without it, we shall not be able to get 
the boats. 

May I hope for an answer to this or my former letter? The 
business is of consequence, and as such I have taken the liberty 
to submit it to you. 

III. 

War Office [Ya.], May 22, 1782. 
Sir: — Agreeable to the direction of his excellency in coun- 
cil, I have the honor to inform you of the steps taken for the 
defense of the frontiers. Several orders have, from time to time, 
been issued according to the various circumstances of our affairs 
in that quarter. Upon a representation of their distresses, 
orders were issued for one company of militia from Hamp- 
shire to march to Monongalia [county], and be disposed of as 

^ Col. Win. Crawford. Whether the letter reached him before setting out 
upon the expedition against Sandusky in which he lost his life, is unknown ; 
probably it did. 

' Of the 13th Virginia regiment, formerly. He had a son John Hardin, Jr. ; 
they were a branch of the celebrated Hardin family of Kentucky, of which 
there were officers in the revolution, in the war of 1812, and in the war with 
Mexico. 



Appendix I. <275 

Colonel Evans should direct, and an officer and twenty pri- 
vates from Augusta were ordered to be stationed at Tj'gart's 
Yalley. The Hampshire men were to be relieved by a com- 
pany formed from Rockingham and Augusta and the ensign 
and twenty [men] were to return without relief at the end of 
two months. In addition to these detachments, it was after- 
wards found necessary to order a re-enforcement of thirty-one 
rank and file from Augusta, including the ensign and twenty 
[men] before mentioned, and nineteen rank and file from 
Rockingham, to rendezvous at Tygart's Yalley, under the im- 
mediate orders of Lieutenant Colonel Wilson, but subject to 
the general direction of Colonel Evans, and to be relieved 
after performing a tour of two months by the counties of 
Shenandoah, Frederick, and Berkeley, and the company first 
ordered from Hampshire will therefore return without relief 
at the expiration of their tour. There have likewise been 
subsequent orders [issued] to the county lieutenants of Au- 
gusta and Rockingham for twenty-two rank and file to be 
furnished by the first, and thirteen rank and file from the 
latter, to be stationed at such places as the commanding oflScer 
of Augusta should think proper for the defense of his county, 
and to be relieved after performing a tour of two months 
[duty], by the militia of Rockbridge. 

I have informed Colonel Evans of the order of his excel- 
lency that the defense of the frontier should be subject to 
your directions in future, and have requested him to furnish 
such portions of his militia as you may think necessary to call 
for.i 



lY. 

War Office, August 22, 1782. 

Sir: — I acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 25th 

of May and am much obliged to you for the assistance you 

have kindly afforded towards the transportation of the stores 

for General Clark. The unfortunate affair of Colonel Craw- 

' See Appendix M, — Col. John Evans to Irvine, June 30, 1782. 



^76 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 



ford will, I fear, greatly encourage the enemy and be attended 
with unhappy consequences, unless timely guarded against. 

In consequence of a representation of the designs of the 
enemy against your post, government have directed that orders 
should issue for the immediate march of seventy-five men 
properly officered from Frederick and the like number from 
Berkeley [counties, Yirginia]. A body of seventeen hundred 
men are also ordered to be in constant readiness to march at a 
moment's warning to your relief should the enemy actually 
attempt the investiture of your fort. To enable you the more 
readily to assemble this number of men, I enclose you the 
appointment made agreeably to which orders have been 
issued to the different county lieutenants. Happy in having 
opportunity to contribute to the strength and security of your 
garrison,! would request you to inform me of anything in my 
department in which I can assist you, and beg you freely to 
command me. 



APPENDIX J. 



CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE LIEUTENANT OF WASHINGTON 
COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. 



I. — Irvine to James Mabshel.^ 

Fort Pitt, November 18, 1781. 
8ir:—\ did not intend to cairfor any militia this winter if 
it conld possibly be avoided. But the continentals are here 
so few and they so illy provided for, and, in short, so irregu- 
lar and in every respect so unlike soldiers, that it is a,bsolutely 
necessary to draw them as much together as the nature of the 
service will admit, to try to new model and arrange them be- 

' James Marshel, — for so he spelled his name during the last half of his 
life — obtained rights to about 1,500 acres of land in what is now Cross Creek 
township, Washington county, Pennsylvania, between 1776 and 1778. He 
was born in the north of Ireland, Feb. 20, 1753, and came west from that part 
of Lancaster county which is now Dauphin, in that state. In 1779, when the 
Presbyterian congregations of Buffalo and Cross Creek called Rev. Joseph 
Smith, then of York county, as their first pastor, Adam Poe and Andrew Poe 
signing the call, it being difficult to find a person to bring the minister from 
" over the mountains," Marshel offered 200 acres of his land to any one who 
would do so. The offer was accepted and the removal made by Capt. Joseph 
Scott, who received the land; and it has descended direct to its present owners, 
his grandsons, J. M. K. Reed, Esq., and his brother John C. Reed. For a 
time, Marshel was an elder in the Buffalo church. 

In the boundary controversy, he was an ardent Pennsylvanian, and in the 
bitterness engendered made enemies of several of those who favored the Vir- 
ginia jurisdiction, — the controversy affecting the pohtics of his section for 
years after the boundary was established. When Washington county was 
erected in 1781, he was commissioned county lieutenant, holding that office at 
date of the above letter; also recorder of deeds and register of wills. He 
was again elected recorder and register, serving from 1791 to 1795. 

Col. Marshel in 1795-6 advertised all his lands in Washington county for 
sale, and removed to Brooke county, Virginia, where he resided until his death, 
March 17, 1829. He left the following surviving children: John, who settled 
in Washington, Pa.; Robert, who settled in Ohio; a daughter, who married 
Mr. McCluny; and two other daughters, who died unmarried at an advanced 
age. 



^78 W asliington- Irvine Correspondence. 

fore next campaign. This being the state of facts, I am com- 
pelled to call on you, to order a few militia for the defense of 
the post of Wheeling.^ It is now garrisoned by a continental 
officer and fifteen privates. The same number of militia is 
the most I wish you to order. Indeed, I am of opinion that 
fewer would do during the winter; as I think there can be 
nothing more necessary than barely to keep a look-out, take 
care of the post, and give an alarm to the inhabitants in case 
of danger. 

If you are of the same opinion, and can accomplish it, I 
propose that you engage one discreet, intelligent subaltern 
officer with six or seven men, to take charge of tlie post, by 
the first of December at farthest, and to remain there until 
the first of March unless sooner discharged or relieved; they 
to be allowed for it as having served a tour of militia duty, 
and every other emolument and allowance agreeable to law. 
If you approve of this scheme, I request you will lose no 
time in putting it into execution.^ But if inconvenient, then 
you are to order out, agreeable to law, one subaltern, one ser- 
geant, one corporal and fifteen privates. When they are 
ready to march, they are to come to me for instructions.^ 

' In July, 1774, soon after the commencement of hostilities in Lord Dun- 
more's war, Major Angus McDonald arrived over the mountains with a con- 
siderable force of Virginia militia, to take part in the conflict against the 
savages. He went down to the mouth of Wheeling creek, where, subse- 
quently, the whole force, under the immediate command of Lord Dunmore, 
rendezvoused. A stockade fort was there erected under the joint direction of 
McDonald and Captain William Crawford; it is now the site of the city of 
Wheeling, West Virginia. The post was first called Fort Fincastle. Its name, 
after the commencement of the revolution, was changed to Fort Heniy, in 
honor of Patrick Henry, governor of the state. It was several times assailed 
by the enemy during the revolution but never taken. 

' The idea of General Irvine in " this scheme " was, to induce Marshel to 
fill up the post at Wheeling after relieving the continentals, who constituted 
its garrison, with volunteers, if he could well do so. This he preferred to 
making a " call " for the requisite number of militia, which, in reality, was 
a draft. But Marshel, as will be seen in his reply, was " tired out with volun- 
teer plans." 

^ Extracts from the minutes of the supreme executive council of Pennsyl- 
vania: 

" In Council, PniLADEi.riiiA, Momlaij, October 8, 17SI. 

" A letter from his excellency the president of congress of this day was re- 



Appendix J. ^79 

I have ordered the bearer to wait one, or two days at most, 
for your answer, which I request by him, whatever your deter- 
mination may be.^ 

II. — Marsiiel to Irvine. 

"Washington County [Pa.],^ November 20, 1781. 
Sir: — I am this moment honored with your favor of the 
eighteenth, and am sorry I cannot comply with your requisi- 
tion for engaging a number of men for the defense of Fort 
AVheeling, as I am fairl}' tired out with volunteer plans; 
besides, I have received orders from [the supreme execu- 
tive] council [of Pa.] ^ to call out the militia according to 

ceived and read, inclosing a resolution of congress of the twenty-fomth of 
September last, appointing Brigadier General William Irvine to the command 
of the continental post of Fort Pitt." 

"In Council, Philadelphia, Thursdai/, October 11, 17S1. 

" The council took into consideration a resolve of congress of the twenty- 
fourth of September last, appointing Brigadier General Irvine to the com- 
mand of Fort Pitt ; and thereupon, 

" Ordered, That agreeably to the said recommendation (ante, p. 72, note 1), 
the lieutenants of the counties of Washington and Westmoreland be ordered 
to call forth agreeably to law, upon his requisition, such militia as may be 
necessary for that post and the protection of the country." 

' Marshel, as lieutenant of Washington county, received his appointment 
from the supreme executive council of the state on the 2d of April, 1781. By 
virtue of his office, he had a general supervision over military affairs of the 
county; or, in other words, over everything appertaining to the militia therein 
(ante, p. 12, note 1). His sub-lieutenants after December 24, 1781, were: 
William McCleery, William Parker, George Vallandigham and Matthew 
Ritchie. 

* Very likely this, the first letter of Marshel to Irvine, was written at his 
house in what is now Cross Creek township, Washington county, on the farm 
now owned by Thomas McCorkle, Sr. 

^ These "orders," directed to the lieutenants of Westmoreland and Wash- 
ington counties, were in the following words : 

" In Council, Philadelphia, October 11, 1781. 
"Sir: — You will perceive by the inclosed resolve of congress (ante, p. 72, 
note 1), that Brigadier General Irvine is appointed to repair forthwith to Fort 
Pitt and take upon him the command of that garrison. The council is dis- 
posed to pay a due respect to the regulation of congress, and to afford General 
Irvine all the assistance in their power. You are, therefore, hereby ordered 
to call forth agreeable to law, upon his requisition, such militia as may be 
necessary for the defease of that post and the protection of the country." 



280 Was/migton-Irvine Correspondence. 

law on your order. I shall, therefore, order out according to 
class, the number of militia yon have demanded and order the 
officer to wait upon you for instructions.^ 



III. — Marshel to Irvine. 

Washington County, JVovemher 26, 1781. 
Sir: — The bearer hereof is the officer Mdio is to take the 
command of the militia I have di'afted~ for the post at 
Wheeling. I have, therefore, directed him to wait upon you 
for orders. You will please to dismiss him with all possible 
dispatch that he may attend the rendezvous at Catfish Camp 
[now "Washington, Washington county. Pa.], on Thursday, the 
29th inst.3 

' This ordering out of the militia upon Irvine's requisition, was not in lieu 
of, nor did it in any manner interfere with the drafting of the militia to serve 
under the orders of the lieutenant of the county. In the one case, they were 
supplied with arms, ammunition and provisions by the United States; in the 
other, by the state. On the 5th of April following, this regulation was 
changed (ante, p. 104 and note 1). Irvine then took charge of all matters con- 
cerning the defense of the frontier. 

* By this it will be seen that when Marshel ordered out any desired number 
of militia, for whatever service, he did so by drafting, and from a particular 
class; that is, from those not exempt because of having served on previous 
tours. (See, also, his previous letter.) 

^The detachment ordered out was under the command of Lieutenant John 
Hay. Irvine's instructions to that officer were as follows: 

"Fort Pitt, Novemher 28, 1781. 
'^Sir: — You will proceed with the detachment under your command to 
Wheeling, there to relieve the garrison of continental troops [consisting of 
one officer and fifteen privates], taking on yourself the charge of the post. I 
do not apprehend any danger of an attack during the winter season of any 
considerable number of the enemy, notwithstanding you ought to be vigilant 
and guard against being surprised, which a few skulking savages might affect 
if you should be found off your guard, and which could not fail of bringing 
disgrace on you and might be attended with fatal consequences to the inhab- 
itants of the settlements, the protection of whom is the main object of your 
being posted there. You will also see that no waste takes place of any public 
property; suffer no person to pass down the river without a permit from the 
commandant at this place; stop and secure all suspected persons, giving me 
the earliest notice in your power; and you will also inform me from time to 
time of every material occurrence. 



AjppencUx J. 281 



lY. — ■ Irvine to Marshel. 

Fort Pitt, Januarxj 10, 1782. 
Sir: — You will please to order one subaltern, one sergeant 
and fifteen privates, to relieve Lieutenant [John] Hay and his 
garrison at Fort Henry, or Wheeling, in such time as you will 
judge they will with certainty reach that post by the 1st day 
of February.^ You will be so good as to direct the officer you 

" You will take an inventoiy of all public stores from the officer you relieve; 
and when you are relieved deliver a similar one, taking a receipt from the re- 
lieving officer. 

" In case of an attack you will maintain your post to the last extremity, 
giving the earliest notice to the country that they may come to your support; 
or to me by express if in your power. 

" Any provisions you procure for your party shall be paid for by the con- 
tractors here, on your certificates addressed to me, provided it does not amount 
to more than the allowance for the number of men. In procuring provisions 
by barter of Yates you will doubtless make the best bargain in your power. 
I have entire confidence in your prudence and vigilance. I am, dear sir, your 
humble servant, Wm. Irvine, 

" B. G. Commanding Fort Pitt and Dependencies." 

' That Marshel was fully able to comply with General Irvine's requisition, 
the following letter to William Moore, governor of Pennsylvania, is evidence: 
" Washington County, Fehniarij 4, 1782. 

" Sir: — By this opportunity I have made return of the officers of this county, 
although the whole is not yet commissioned as will appear by the return in- 
closed. The officers and privates of the seventh company in the first battalion 
refuse to become subjects of this state [Pennsylvania]. The greatest part of 
the other officers elected, and not yet commissioned, objects to taking the oath 
of allegiance until the line is run. This difficulty I hope council will cause to 
be removed as soon as possible. The field officers of the first battalion were 
not elected by ballot, as the law directs, on account of a large mob that pre- 
vented those who were disposed to comply with the law from doing it in that 
manner, although they were, on the day appointed for election, elected verbally 
by a great majority, and therefore are commissioned. 

" I have the pleasure of informing your excellency that I have been fully 
able to comply with your order in calling forth the militia agreeable to law, 
on General Irvine's requisition. The only difficulty we are under at present 
is the want of provision for the militia when in actual service, the contractors 
not being able to purchase more than is necessary for the regular troops. No 
doubt this difficulty will also be removed in due time. 

"James Makshel, L. W. C." 

In this connection, it may be noted that the battalion of Colonel David 



WasJiington-Irvine Correspondence. 



send, to take a copy of my instructions to Lieutenant Ila}-, 
for bis government.^ 



V. — Irvine to Marshel. 

Fort Pitt, March 29, 1782. 

Sir: — When your letter of yesterday to Colonel Gibson g 
came to hand, I was just about to send mine to you, by express. 
I now take the opportunity of Captain Smith. The object of 
my command in this quarter is to countenance and protect the 
people by every possible means (with propriety) in my power. 

Though I am not so well acquainted with the present in- 
tended plan ^ as I could wish, or indeed would be necessary 

Williamson (the 8d) is not mentioned in Marshel's letter. As a matter of 
fact, also, it may here be stated that Colonel Williamson, at that date, had 
received and accepted his commission from Marshel as colonel of his battalion, 
and taken the oath of allegiance. It is likewise certain that the latter looked 
upon Williamson as his " right hand man " in all matters of importance con- 
nected with his office of county lieutenant. (See letter No. VII following.) 

' On the sixteenth of January, as already mentioned (ante, p. 84, note 2), 
Gen. Irvine left Fort Pitt to confer with congress on the state of affairs in the 
west, leaving Colonel John Gibson in temporary command of the post. Pre- 
vious to his starting, he wrote Marshel of his intended trip, notifying him 
that Col. Gibson would command in his absence, and that he should "order 
out such numbers of militia (not exceeding sixty) for one tour " of a month's 
duration, as the colonel might require. (See first letter of Appendix K, which 
is the same as the one sent Marshel, substituting the name of the latter for 
that of Col. Edward Cook.) It is known that Gibson conferred with Marshel 
during Irvine's absence as to public affairs, particularly as to the garrisons 
established on the frontiers of Washington county and the number of men 
allotted to each. (See Marshel's next letter.) 

- Not found. It was doubtless written to Colonel Gibson under the im- 
pression that Irvine had not yet returned to Fort Pitt. 

^This "intended plan" was a proposed expedition from Washington 
county against the Wyandots upon the Sandusky. The enterprise was veiy 
quickly given up; but the scheme was laid so soon after the " Gnadenhuetten 
affair " that a message received at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to the effect 
that 600 men were to meet on the 18th of March to go to Sandusky, was con- 
strued by the Moravians there to mean " for the purpose of cutting off the 
remainder " of the Moravian Indians at that place. (See Appendix M, — Seidel 
to Irvine, April 11, 1782.) Of course, there was no such purpose in the minds 
of those planning the expedition. When, however, Crawford's expedition 
did go to the Sandusky, the same was said of it — "to murder the remnant 



A^ypendix J. '283 

for me, yet I cannot think of letting any good opportunity 
slip, or which may be thought so by people (who have, I hope, 
duly weighed matters) for a nicer point of formality or eti- 
quette. I therefore send you an order by Captain Smith on 
the officer commanding at Fort Mcintosh for ammunition and 
flints. There the principal stock of these articles are, which 
is at present in my power, I hope it may be obtained in due 
time. I sincerely wish the party success. 



YL — Marsiiel to Irvine. 

Washington County, April 2, ]782. 
Sir: — I have been honored with your favors of the 28th 
and 29th ult.,^ with the greatest satisfaction to find you were 
disposed to supply us with ammunition, although we have not 
been able to execute the proposed plan. I am under the dis- 
agreeable necessity of informing you that the principal post 
on the river, namely, the mouth of Yellow creek,^ has been 
evacuated for some days for want of provision, which I am 
afraid will prevent my attendance at Fort Pitt on Friday next, 
being obliged to fill up that station, and supply them with 
provision as soon as possible in order to prevent the frontier 
in that quarter from breaking. However, I shall most heartily 
concur in any plan that may be adopted for the good of the 
country: and as soon as matters are on any tolerable footing 
in this county, I will do myself the honor to wait nponyou at 
Pittsburgh. 

of the Christian Indians," there; and this has ever since been constantly re- 
iterated in current histories of the west; until, finally, the publication in 
another work (Crawford's Campaign against Sandusky) of Irvine's instruc- 
tions to the commander of that expedition (see, also, note on p. 118 of this 
book), and much other positive testimony, showed its utter fallacy. 

' That of the 28th not found; but see a similar one, Appendix K, — Irvine 
to Cook, of the same date. 

''That is to say, "opposite the mouth of Yellow creek." This stream, a 
tributary of the Ohio, flows into that river on the right, on what was then the 
Indian side of the Ohio, fifty-five miles by water below Pittsburgh. It was at 
or near this point, which is on the east side of the Ohio, that the killing of 
Logan's (the Mingo chief's) relatives took place on the 30th of April, 1774. 



^SJf. Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

I have ordered a number of the field officers of tliis county 
to attend at the time and place appointed in your letter to me 
of the 28th of March, for the purpose therein mentioned.^ 
I have also requested James Edgar, Esq., one of our repre- 
sentatives, to attend as aforesaid. Should he attend, I could 
wish he might be admitted to sit in your council.^ Colonel 



' Ante, p. 104, and note. 

* James Eclcrar, then a prominent citizen of the western department, was a 
native of York county, Pennsylvania, where he was born of Scotch-Irish 
ancestry, November 15, 1744. His father subsequently removed to North 
Carolina, bat young Edgar remained on his farm until the outset of the rev- 
olution. By tiie committee of York county he was chosen a member of the 
provincial conference of June 18, 1776, and elected by the people to the con- 
vention of July 15, following. He was a member of the assembly, 1776-7, 
from his native county; of the provincial council of safety from October 17 to 
December 4, 1777, when he took his seat in the supreme executive council, an 
ofSce he filled acceptably until February 13, 1779. In the autumn of this 
year, he removed to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in that part which 
afterward became Washington county. Upon the organization of the latter 
county, he was appointed one of the justices July 15, 1781, and, along with 
John Canon, was representative of the general assembly of the state, at the 
date of the above letter. He was admitted to take part in the council held 
by Irvine on the 5th of April.— Adapted from Wm. H. Egle, in Penn. Mag. 
of Hist, and Biog., Vol. Ill, p. 324. 

John Canon, the other representative (he was not, however, at the council), 
came to what was afterward Washington county, as early as 1774. In Feb- 
ruary of that year, he and Henry Taylor were appointed by the AVestmoreland 
county court to view a road from the Gist settlement on the Youghioglieny 
river to Paul Froman's mill on Cliartiers creek — the place afterward 
occupied by Dorsey Pentecost, — within a few miles of the place where Canon 
afterwards founded the town of Canonsburgh. Canon at once appears as a 
partisan of Virginia, in the boundary controversy, and was a justice of her 
Yohogania comity court. This court; was continued until August, 1780, though 
the boundary compromise was made in 1779; and, on the organization of 
Washmgton county, in 1781, Canon was appointed one of the sub-lieutenants 
under James Mavsliel as county lieutenant. In 1784, he was commissioned 
a justice of the Washington county courts, which position he occupied until 
his death. In 1782, he was, as we have seen, a representative in the general 
assembly of his state (ante, p. 205, note), having been elected the fall previous. 
Canon had acquired Virginia rights to three several tracts of land adjoining 
each other and together containing over 1,000 acres, in Chartiers Valley, 
about eight miles north of Washington and about twenty miles south of 
Pittsburgh, on one of which he laid the town of Canonsburgh, where he lived 
till he died. He, with other public-spirited citizens, brought about the estab- 



Ajypendix J. ^85 

[John] Gibson will be able to imform you the number of gar- 
risons on the frontier of this county, together with the num- 
ber of men allotted to each, as agreed upon by us in your 
absence. Maj. [James] Carmichael ^ will report to you the 
situation of each garrison, except the one at [opposite] the 
mouth of Yellow creek, at which place there were thirty men, 
besides eight invalids left at some of the frontier houses, 
which number I expect to have again at that place in a few 
days; but how long we shall be able to continue them, I know 
not, as we have never yet been supplied by government with 
one article to support the militia in actual service, except the 
ammunition we have received from your garrison. However, 
this is most certain, that unless an expedition be carried 
against some of the principal towns early this summer, this 
country must unavoidably suffer. But if, at your council, it 
is thought best not to carry an expedition early in the summer, 
I shall expect that the number of militia called out for the 
protection of the country will be justly proportioned in the 
different counties. But I flatter myself that an expedition 
will be promoted, and that we shall be able to raise our full 
quota in this county. About the 15tli of May next appears 
to me to be a proper time for the rendezvous.^ 

lishment in that town of a high school, which in 1791 was organized as an 
academy, he donating the lot and erecting the building. In 1794, the acad- 
emy was incorporated by the state legislature, and Canon made one of the 
trustees. He died in the latter part of 1798, just before that institution was 
made Jefferson college, long afterward an influential institution of learning. 
Canon was an active, inteUigent and gentlemanly man. He died when but 
little past the meridian of life, leaving a widow and several children. Mrs. 
Canon was eminently pious, friendly and generous. Her house was the seat 
of hospitality, the favorite resort of Christian ministers and serious students. 

' James Carmichael should not be confounded with John Carmichael. The 
last mentioned had, previously to 1775, settled in what is now FrankHn town- 
ship, Fayette county, that state, then Westmoreland county, on the waters 
of Redstone creek, about eight miles from Col. Cook's, where he erected a 
mill. He was elected a member of the constitutional convention of 1776, 
and of the general assembly in 1777. He died in 1796, leaving a widow and 
two sons, James and Thomas. — Wm. H. Egle, in Penn. Mag. of Hist, and 
Biog., Vol. III. 

'This was an official foreshadowing of Crawford's campaign against 
Sandusky. 



286 Washington-Ii'vine Correspondence. 

VII. — Marsiiel to Irvine. 

Washington County, April 4, 1782. 

Sir: — The bearer hereof, Colonel Williamson,^ is now pre- 
pared for a voyage down the river with about 30,000 weight 
of flour; but, from a real love to his country, proposes not 
only to carry an expedition against Sandusky, with the militia 
of his county together with what volunteers might be raised 
in Westmoreland, but also to advance such part of the above 
flour as might be necessary on the occasion, on condition it 
would be replaced in the fall or paid for in cash. I And it 
much more difficult to supply our militia in actual service with 
provision than I expected,^ and that the people in general on 
the frontier, are waiting with anxious expectation to know 
whether an expedition can be carried against Sandusky early 
this spring or not. I could therefore wish that Colonel Will- 
iamson would be countenanced in this plan, if, with propri- 
ety, it can be done. 

P. S. — Colonel Williamson will be able to give you a true 
account of the situation of our frontier at present. 



YIII. — Marsiiel to Irvine. 
Catfish [now Washington], 31ay 1st, 1782. 
Dear Sir: — Since I wrote yon by Mr. Kerr, your express 
arrived with the disagreeable intelligence of the desertion of 



1 David Williamson, colonel, at the above date, of the 3d battalion of Wash- 
ington county militia, was, it will be remembered, present at the meeting at 
Fort Pitt called by General Irvine for the 5th of April, 1782 (ante, p. 104, note 
1). His project against Sandusky was not a new one. Ever since the Wyan- 
dots had taken up the hatchet against the border, the destruction of their 
villages was "a consummation devoutly to be wished." To that end a num- 
ber of schemes had been laid; but, for various reasons, all had proven abor- 
tive; until now the whole frontier were " waiting with anxious expectation to 
know whether an expedition " could be "carried " against that most prolific 
hive of mischief to the border. (For a biographical notice of Williamson, 
see Appendix M, — Williamson to Irvine, June 13, 1782, note.) 

' That is, in service under his orders as lieutenant of the county; not such as 
had been drafted and put under General Irvine's orders; but, by the arrange- 
ment made the next day at Fort Pitt between Irvine and the principal field 
oflBcers of the militia and others, this was changed (ante, p. 104, note 1). 



Appendix J. £87 

some of yonr troops. I liave used every method in ray 
power to alarm the inhabitants of this county, and to encour- 
age the apprehending suspected persons.^ 

Shice I liad tlie honor of consulting you on the expediency 
of an expedition against Sandusky, I have met with the officers 
and principal people of this county and find that, in all proba- 
bility, we shall be able to carry the expedition; I therefore 
request you will send by the first opportunity such instruc- 
tions to the officer who may be appointed to command as you 
may think proper. 

The bearer, Captain Thomas Parkison, a gentleman of 
credit and considerable property, will undertake to supply the 
militia in actual service at ll|^d. per ration; which I believe is 
as low as any person can undertake it for. I could wish this 
gentleman might be employed, as he can be depended upon 
for the fulfilling any engagement he may enter into [ante, 
p. 203]. 

P. S. — You will please to forward by your express. Captain 
[John] Hughes' letter to council.^ Monday, the 20th inst., is 
appointed for the general rendezvous at the Mingo Bottom 
[on the east side of the Ohio]. 

^ Ante, p. 112. On the Isfc day of June, Irvine issued the following or- 
der: ". . . The general would fondly flatter himself that he will not be 
much troubled with the trial of deseiiers, or disobedience of orders, in the 
future; but lest any sho'jld remain so abandoned as to desert, he thinks proper 
to give this notice, that it is his determination to give positive orders to all 
officers or parties who shall be sent after them, to put to death all deserters, 
whatsoever, in the same manner as they would or ought the common enemy 
of the United States. . . At the same time that he is determined to keep 
up vigorous discipline, he will not cease to be the friend of the faithful sol- 
dier." (See, in this connection, p. 119, note 1.) 

^The following is an extract from the procee.lings of the supreme executive 

council of Pennsylvania: 

"Philadelphia, Dec. 27, 1781. 

"The council taking into consideration the appointing officers for the rang- 
ing company for the county of Washington, 

"Resolved, That John Hughes, Esq., be appointed and commissioned to be 
captain of a company of rangers to be raised in the county of Washington." 

Captain Hughes' letter to Moore, mentioned above, was as follows : 

"Catfish Camp, Washington Co., May 1st, 1782. 

" Sir:— As Colonel Marshel has informed me that an express for Philadel- 



288 "Wasliington-lTviiie Correspondence. 



IX. — Marshel to Irvine. 

Washington County, May 11,^ 1782. 
Dear Sir: — Agreeable to your requisition of the 6tli ult., 
I have called out a number of the militia of this county, to 
relieve those on duty, and directed [Lieutenant] Colonel Yal- 

phia is to set out to-morrow, I take the opportunity to lot your excellency in 
council know that there is no possibility of raising luen in this country upon 
the principles council have thought proper to order. My officers and myself 
have been as industrious as circumstances could possibly admit. I conceive 
the only mode would be to class the county for eighteen months men, which 
would be two campaigns, or any other term the council should think neces- 
sary. This is the sentiment of the better kind of people in this country as 
well as my own. 

" There are many other reasons that hinder the officers in the recruiting 
service, as having not cash except such as are for that service and no provis- 
ion made here for their subsistence, that renders them under these disadvan- 
tages. Please your excellency in council to consider these grievances that I 
have laid down, and I make no doubt but they will be remedied. . . . 

"John Hughes, 
" Captain "Washmgton Rangers." 

' It will be seen by a reference to pages 238 and 239, ante, that, on the first day 
of May, Irvine wrote Marshel for his report of the expedition that went to the 
Tuscarawas — "Williamson's expedition;" that he received Marshel's reply 
and transmitted it (with the one received from Colonel Williamson) on the 
third of May to Moore ; and that neither the letter of Irvine to Marshel nor 
the replies thereto have been found. This hiatus in the correspondence will, 
it is feared, never be filled. 

Various relations, besides the one received from the secretary of congi-ess 
(ante, p. 238, note), had reached the supreme executive council concerning the 
" Gnadenhuetten aftair " before the letters of Marshel and Williamson were 
forwarded. The first published account of what transpired upon the "Mus- 
kingum" after the arrival of the militia, is to be found in the Pcnnsylmnia 
Packet of April 16, 1782, and in the Pennsylvanin Gazette of the next day. 
This account, after mentioning that the Indians had collected a large quantity 
of provisions to supply their war- parties, says : 

"They [the militia] arrived at the town [Gnadenhuetten] in the night, un- 
discovered, attacked the Indians in their cabins, and so completely surprised 
them, that they killed and scalped upwards of ninety (but a few making their 
escape), about forty of which were warriors, the rest old men, women and 
children. About eighty horses fell into their hands, which they loaded with 
the plunder, the greatest part furs and skins, and returned to the Ohio, with- 
out the loss of one man, and at the place where they chose their officers they 
held a vendue. And in order to prevent the inhabitants from bidding against 



Appendix J. 289 

landigham^ and Major White ^ to wait upon you for instructions. 
Tou will please to order to them such quantity of arms as can 
be spared; Hints will also be wanted for the use of the militia 
on the frontiers, but much more so for the expedition; there- 
fore, I have sent the bearer for such number of flints as can 
be spared, in order that the party that goes on the expedition 
may be supplied first. Please to send by the bearer such in- 
structions to the officer who may be appointed to command as 
you may think proper to give. 



X. — Makshel to Irvine. 

Washington County, May 29, 1782. 
Dear Sir: — I have the honor to inform you that on Satur- 
day last, about five hundred men ^ (including ofiicers) set out 
for Sandusky, under the command of Colonel [William] Craw- 
ford. A perfect harmony subsisted among officers and men, 
and all were in high spirits, — no accident of any consequence 

the adventurers, they divided the spoil equally between officers and men, first 
reimbursing those who had lost their horses in swimming the river." 

Before the foregoing appeared in the Philadelphia papers, several reports 
were circulated east of the mountains concerning the " Gnadenhuetten affair." 
One was to the effect that one hundred and sixty mihtia from the Ohio had 
destroyed two Delaware Indian towns and killed ninety-five Indians; another 
that the militia had killed ninety-nine Moravian Indians, namely: thirty- 
three men and sixty-six women. A third ran as follows: "The Moravian 
Indian congregation at Sandusky is butchered by the Scotch. They came 
and told them they must prepare directly for death. The Indians requested 
but an hour's time for this purpose, which was granted. They went to their 
meeting house to join in prayers to the Lord. After the hour had passed, 
they [the militia] fell upon them and butchered all of them in cold blood, 
in the meeting house, and then set the house on fire." (See, in this con- 
nection. Appendix M,— Seidel to Irvine, April 11, 1782— post, p. 358, note 4.) 

' George Vallandigham (grandfather of Clement L. Vallandigham, the late 
noted Ohio politician) was, at the above date, lieutenant colonel of the second 
battalion of Washington county mihtia; also one of the sub-lieutenants of the 
county, under Marshel. 

'John White, a justice of the peace at that date, living in Strabane town- 
ship, Washington county, Pennsylvania. 

^ The number which actually marched was four hundred and sixty-eight, 
but a few of these returned before reaching the Tuscarawas. 
19 



^90 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

happening eitlier in crossing the river or during their stay at 
the Mingo bottom [on the west side of the Ohio]. 

I have not yet ascertained with exactness the number of 
men from the different counties, but I believe they are nearly 
as follows, namely: "Westmoreland,^ about one hundred and 
thirty; Ohio [county],^ about twenty; and Washington,^ three 
hundred and fifty. Mr. Rose, your aid-de-camp [ante, p. 117], 
was very hearty when I left him. His services on this occa- 
sion have endeared you much to the people of this county, and 
given general satisfaction to the men on the expedition. 

A report prevails in the country that Britain has acknowl- 
edged our independence. I could wish to be informed of the 
truth of this report. I have been asked by a Presbyterian 
minister and some of his people to request you to spare one 
gallon of win» for the nse of a sacrament. If it is in your 
power to supply them with this article, I make no doubt you 
will do it, as it cannot be obtained in any other place in this 
country. Mr. Douglass or the bearer will apply for it.* 

' Mostly from that part which afterward became Fayette county, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

* Ohio county, Virginia, included, at this date, the whole of the territory 
now in West Virginia known as " the Pan-handle," and a considerable area 
to the south of it. 

'Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1782, was bounded north by the 
Ohio river, east by the Monongahela, south and west by Virginia. All of 
Pennsylvania west of the Laurel Hill not included within those boundaries 
constituted Westmoreland county, at that date (ante, p. 50); but Fayette 
county was formed from the latter the next year. 

* No doubt the wine was sent if the general had it to spare. He was ex- 
ceedingly accommodating to the country people as well as to the citizens of 
Pittsburgh. His watchful care over the rights of the latter, when in the least 
intruded upon by the soldiery, the following petition and order will show: 

[I.] 

•' Pittsburgh, May 29, 1782. 
" The humble petition of a part of the inhabitants of the town of Pitts- 
burgh most humbly beggeth: That your honor will be pleased to take it into 
consideration, that several of the officers, and soldiers of this town have of 
late made a constant practice in playing at long bullets in the street that 
goes up by the br*-w-house and that a number of children belonging to us, 
who are dwellers on the same street, are in danger of their lives by the said 
evil practices, — we therefoi-e hope (since we have no civil magistrate to apply 



Appendix J. 291 



XI. — Maksiiel to Irvine. 

June 11, 1782. 
Dear Sir: — This moment came to hand the enclosed letter,^ 
by which you will learn the unhappy fate of our little army 
[under Colonel Crawford]. What the consequences may be, 
God only knows. I would fondly hope that matters are not 
quite so bad as they are represented; as men who quit an 

to) that your honor will condescend to put a stop to such practices in the 
street, by your own special orders. And by your honor's endeavors we are 
forever bound to pray and shall forever reraain, sir, your honor's most obedient, 
humble servants to serve. [Signed] John Bradley, Thomas Girty [brother of 
Simon], William Brady, John Jewry, James McLelland, [Directed] To the 
Hon. Wm. Irvine, Esq., Brig. Gen. Com. W. D." 

[II.] 

"Fort Pitt, iJ/ay 31, 1782. 

" Sundry inhabitants of the town of Pittsburgh having petitioned General 
Irvine to prohibit the officers and soldiers from playing long bullets in the 
streets and set forth the great danger the lives of the children are in, by such 
practices, — he, therefore, in the most express terms forbids it being done in 
future. At the same time, he thinks it a favorable occasion to recommend to 
the troops not to incommode or disturb the people of the town with their com- 
pany too frequently. They can find other places and modes to amuse them- 
selves than in dram shops, which, in the end, will be pleasanter and more 
advantageous." 

'The letter received by Marshel was as follows: 

"Cross Creek Mills, 11th June, 1782. 

" S\r: — Last night nine men arrived at the Mingo Bottom [on the east side 
of the Ohio river], who give us the disagreeable news of our army under the 
command of Colonel Crawford being defeated on Tuesday last about one mile 
and a half from the upper Sandusky town. They attacked our men about 
twelve o'clock [Tuesday, June 4th]. The battle lasted until Wednesday night. 
On Tuesday, they killed four of our men and wounded about twenty. On 
Wednesday they did but little damage, but were re-enforced by a great 
number of Indians. Wednesday night, our men left the ground, and Thurs- 
day in the afternoon were attacked again, when the nine men quit the army 
in the beginning of the battle and cannot tell how it went. They were in 
distress for victuals, and I expect they will all be in want that have the luck • 
to return. 

" Sir, I have written in haste and confusion. From your humble servant, 

" Edmond Polke, Major 4th Battalion. 

"P. S. — Sir, please to send some men to our fort as soon as possible, as I 
fear it will break. To Col. J. Marshel [and] Col. Wm. Coverly." 



r' 



S92 Washington-Irvine C orrespondence. 

army in time of action generally represent matters worse than 
they really are, in order to saA-e their own credit. Besides, 
the event of the battle on Thursday, is not yet known to ns.* 

' Six days after the date of the above letter, Dorsey Pentecost wrote to Gov- 
ernor Moore of Pennsylvania as follows, concerning' the information gleaned 
by him of the expedition against Sandusky: 

" Washington County, June 17th, 1782. 

'''■Dear Sir: — By a person who is now here, on his way to the head of Elk, 
I have just time to tell you that on the 25th of last month 478, some say 488 
men, mounted on horses, set out under the command of Colonel Crawford, 
for Sandusky. They were discovered at the Muskingum [Tuscarawas], and 
from there, all the way out, spies were kept on them. The Sandusky people 
collected the Sbawanese and the light dragoons from the British posts, be- 
tween Sandusky and the post at Detroit. They attacked our people in the 
plains of Sandusky, near the Sandusky river, Tuesday was a week last. The 
battle continued two days. The first day was very close and hot work, the 
second day was at long shot only. On the night of the second day, our people 
retreated, and the Indians broke in on them in the i-etreat and routed them; 
however, about two hundred stuck together and brought off all the wounded, ex- 
cept three, which were left on the ground. The next day, the Indians attacked 
our people in the rear, but were repulsed with considerable loss on their side. 
They then pursued their retreat with success and unmolested to the Ohio. I 
met the men at the Mingo bottom [on the west side of the Ohio] last Wednes- 
day [June 12th], about thirty-five miles from my house, and collected the in- 
formation I send you. 

" There are about twenty wounded (few dangerous) and about half that 
number killed. There are a good many missing, amongst whom are Colonel 
Ci-awford and a number of other valuable men; but as the scattered parties 
are coming in daily, I have hopes of them. As the people were much con- 
f ased when I met them, I could not get the information requisite. What 
little 1 got was from Major Rose, aid-de-camp to General Irvine, and who 
went as aid to Colonel Crawford. I hope the general will give you a particu- 
lar account, as he will receive it from the major. I am told that the Indians 
were much superior to our people [in numbers]; that, in the engagement, 
they suffered greatly; and that Colonel Crawford strongly recommended to 
return before they got to the town, alleging that our people were too weak 
[to attack the enemy], as the Indians had early intelligence of their coming; 
but he was overruled by the rest of the officers. . . . 

"Dorsey Pentecost." 

On the 6th of July following. Major William Croghan of the Virginia line 
wrote from Fort Pitt to William Davies, Virginia secretary at war, as follows, 
concerning the Sandusky expedition: 

" Dear Colonel: — . . . About six weeks ago five hundred voluntcci"s of 
this country commanded by (our old) Colonel William Crawford went on an 
expedition against the Indian towns. The men were cowardly; no more than 



Appendix J. 293 

I shall be as expeditions as possible in raising a party of men 
to secure their retreat across the [Ohio] river, should they be 
pursued so far. 

about one hundred having fought the Indians, who came out from their towns 
to meet them [this is an error]. The firing continued at long shot with rifles 
for near two days. The second evening our party broke off and retreated in 
the most disorderly manner. Colonel Crawford and a few others, finding the 
men would pay no attention to orders, were going on coolly in the rear, leav- 
ing the road in case the Indians should pui'sue, until the second day, when 
they thought they might venture on the road; but before they had marched 
two miles, a body of Indians fell in between them and the rear of the party, 
and took them prisoners. 

"We had no certainty of this unhappy affair until yesterday, when Doctor 
Knight, wl.o was taken with Crawford, came into the garrison, in the most 
deplorable condition man could be in and be alive. He says that the second 
day after they were taken, they were carried to an Indian town, stripped 
and then blacked, and made to march through the Indians, when men, 
women and children beat them with clubs, sticks, fists, etc., in the most cruel 
manner. 

"Colonel Crawford and the doctor were confined together all night. The 
next day, they were taken out, blacked again, and their hands tied behind 
their backs, when Colonel Crawford was led by a long rope to a high stake, 
to the top of which the rope about the colonel was tied. All around the 
stake a great quantity of red hot coals were laid, on which the poor colonel 
was obliged to walk barefoot, and at the same time the Indians firing squibs 
of powder at him, while others poked sticks (on fire) into every part of his 
body; thus they continued torturing him for about two hours, when he begged 
of Simon Girty, a white renegade, who was standing by, to shoot him, when 
the fellow said, ' don't you see I have no gun?' Some little time after this 
they scalped him, and struck him on the bare skull several times with sticks, 
and being nearly exhausted he lay down upon the burning embers, when the 
squaws put shovelfuls of coals on his body, which, dying as he was, made 
him move and creep a little; the doctor was obliged to stand by to see 
this cruelty performed. 

" When the colonel was scalped they slapped the scalp over the doctor's 
face, saying this is your great captain's scalp; to-morrow we will serve you 
so. The doctor was to be served in the same manner in another town some 
distance off (from this place), and on his way to his place of torment he 
passed by the place where Colonel Crawford's dead body had been dragged 
to and burned, and where he saw his bones. The doctor was guarded by but 
one Indian. On the way, the Indian wanted a fire made and he untied the 
doctor, ordering him to make it; the doctor appeared willing to obey, was 
collecting wood till he got a good chunk in his hand with which he gave the 
Indian so severe a blow as leveled him. The Indian sprung up, but seeing the 



294 Washington-Irvirie Correspondence. 



XII. — Makshel to Irvine. 

June 11, 1782. 
Sir: — Since morning I have been riding through the coun- 
try in order to raise men, but find a general scarcity of arms 
and ammunition; therefore request you may dispatch by water 
such quantity of both as you may think necessary, especially 
ammunition. 



XIII. — Marshel to Irvine. 

From Mr. Douglass', June 15, 1782. 
Dear Sir: — On my way to this place I met with Mr. 
Ormsby,^ who informs me that Mr. [Alexander] McClean, 

doctor seize his gun ran away ; the doctor could not get the gun off, otherwise 
would have shot the Indian. 

" The doctor steered through the woods, and arrived here the twenty-first 
day after he left the Indian, having no clothes. The gun being wood-bound, 
he left it after carrying it a few days. For the twenty-one days, and two or 
three more while under sentence of death, he never ate anything but such 
vegetables as the woods afforded. None of the prisoners were put to death 
but those that fell into the hands of the Delawares, who say they will show 
no mercy to any white roan, as they [the white men] would show none to 
their friends and relations, the religious Moravians. I believe, I have not told 
you that the whole of the five hundred who went out with Crawford returned 
except about fifty. W. Croghan. 

"[P. S.] — Colonel Harrison and Mr. William Crawford, relations of Col- 
onel Crawford, were likewise taken prisoners, but fortunately fell into the 
hands of the Shawanese, who do not kill their prisoners [afterward, they 
were tortured to death by the Delawares]." 

' John Ormsby was an Irishman by birth. He had served some time in the 
British army; was subsequently a teacher; had traveled in several of the 
provinces, but finally came to Pittsburgh under Forbes, and helped build Fort 
Pitt. He was an industrious, enterprising man, and kept the first ferry over 
the Monongahela. He was in Pittsburgh during Pontiac's war and lost 
heavily, being then engaged in trade with the Indians. His epitaph is a con- 
densed biography of the man. It reads as follows: 

" On the 19th day of December, A. D. 1805, the remains of the venerable 
John Ormsby, aged 85 years, was interred, agreeably to his desire, with the 
ashes of his beloved wife [in Trinity churchyard, Pittsburgh]. Mr. Ormsby 
may truly be styled the patriarch of the western Ormsbys. He migrated to 
Fort Duquesne about the time the British took possession of it, at which time 



Appendix J. 295 

Colonels [Christopher] Hays and [Benjamin] Davis, have 
actually failed in running the line on account of a party of 
Virginians (as they called themselves) making a little parade 
at a distance. This opposition no doubt will increase and 
their party become formidable if the line is not extended im- 
mediately and I should be afraid to attempt it again with mi- 
litia. But if, with propriety, you can send twenty or thirty of 
your troops under command of an officer well affected to the 
state of Pennsylvania, I shall raise such number of militia 
as will be necessary to protect Mr. McClean in the execution 
of his office.^ 



XI Y. — Marshel to Irvine. 

Washington County, June 21, 1782. 
Pear Sir: — Your favor of the 17th I have received. I 
thought to have been in Fort Pitt to-morrow on purpose to 
meet with, or hear from Mr. [Alexander] McClean, that some 
plan might be laid to extend the line; but it appears to me 
clearly from your letters, that, as a continental officer, you can- 
not interfere on account of the failure of the artist on the part 
of Virginia; therefore, I hav^e given over the matter at present, 
or until a representation is made to the executive of this state; 
which, I am informed, is already done by Colonel [Edward] 
Cook, [Christopher] Hays and McClean; or, rather, that they, 

he was commissary of provisions and pa3'master of disbursements for the 
erection of Fort Pitt. Subsequently he entered largely into the Indian trade, 
and, in the year 1763, was plundered of all his propsrty, his people murdered, 
and himself shut up in Fort Pitt during the siege. Mr Ormsby was a large 
stockholder in the Indian grant [" Indiana''], which would have remunerated 
him from all losses by the Indians, had not the revolution taken place. Not- 
withstanding, he was a staunch whig and gloried in our independence." 

' This proposition Irvine declined for excellent reasons, given in a letter to 
Moore by the general, July 5, 1782 (ante, p. 248). Marshel was expressly 
authorized by Pennsylvania to order out as many of the mihtia as McClean 
might judge necessary for guards to the commissioners while running the 
temporary line. Thus far, however, aid had only been asked of VYestmore- 
land county, as Washuigton had sent so many of her men under Crawford 
against Sandusky. 



296 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

together with some others, met at Colonel Cook's^ a few days 
ago for that purpose. Bat I am afraid they are not so well 
acquainted with the conduct of some of the principal ring- 
leaders as perhaps some others are, which, as you observe, 
would be necessary to be known. 

I make no doubt they have urged the necessity of Yirginia 
being called upon to appoint a commission that will go into 
the business; but, as the saying is, in order to put the saddle 
on the right horse and that government may be better in- 
formed, I shall take some trouble in procuring such deposi- 
tions as may be thought necessary to throw liglit on the subject. 
One 1 have already obtained, a copy of which (for your private 
satisfaction) is inclosed. I expect to have a number more of 
the same nature in a few days. Before I transmit them to 
council, or make any representation, I shall wait upon you at 
Fort Pitt, as soon as I am prepared. 

Captain Cunningham with two classes militia of the 2d 
battalion will rendezvous at Mr. Ormsby's the 22d instant. 
You will please to order them such quantity of ammunition as 
you may think proper, as it will be inconvenient to supply 
them from the Mingo Bottom [on the east side of the Ohio]. 
These two classes are designed for the two upper stations on 
the river, and are rendezvoused at Mr. Ormsby's on purpose 
to escort the provision to their respective stations. I wrote 
to Captain [Thomas] Parkison some time ago to have the pro- 
vision ready at the time and plnce of rendezvous, which I 
expect he will do. 

P. S. — ]Not having time at present to take a copy, I have 
sent the original deposition, which you will please to preserve 
until the rest are collected. 



XV. — Maeshel to Irvine. 

"Washington County, June 24, 1782. 
Sir: — Tour letter by express I have just now received and 
am astonished at the conduct of Captain Cunningham. I see 

' For the location of Col. Edward Cook's house, see Appendix K, — note to 
^rst letter. 



Ajppendlx J. W7 

no other remedy but to call upon tlie same men to rendezvous 
again, which I have directed Captain Cunningham to do, and 
appointed Saturday, the 29th inst., for the rendezvous at Mr. 
Ormsby's; which I apprehend is as soon as they can be col- 
lected. I conceive neither Captain Cunningham nor any of 
the party can have the remotest thouglit of being excused 
a tour of duty on account of any service they have already 
done; therefore I will depend upon them serving this tour. 



XYI. — Maeshel to Irvine. 

Friday Morning^ Jidy 2, 1782. 
Sir: — By different expresses from Colonels [William] 
Parker^ and [David] Williamson, lam informed with certainty 
that the enemy at Glenn's Bottom have crossed over the river 
to their own side; that the party first discovered at the Mingo 
Bottom [on the east side of the Ohio], continue there. I am 
therefore of opinion that their main body is at that place. 
Colonel Williamson has marched to Coxe's fort,^ about four 
miles below the Mingo Bottom, at which place I have directed 
him to stay until further orders. Colonel [Thomas] Crooks ^ 
is gone to Wheeling. I have also directed him that if he ap- 
prehended no danger in leaving that post for a few days, to 
form a junction with Colonel Williamson. To-morrow, I in- 
tend marching whatever men may rendezvous in this quarter 
to Richard Well's fort, which is within five miles of the 
Mingo Bottom, at which place I intend to stay, if circum- 
stances will admit, until I hear from you; and shall expect, if 
you think it necessary, that a number of your troops will 
march to our assistance as soon as possible. 

' Col. Parker was, at that date, a sub-lieutenant of Washington county, 
Pennsylvania. 

^ Coxe's fort was in the vicinity of what is now Wellsburgh, county-seat of 
Brooke county, West Virginia, — in the "Pan-handle." 

^Crooks, at this date, was colonel of the fifth battalion of Washington 
county militia. He was a resident of Bethlehem township, that county, and 
a justice of the peace therein. 



298 Washington-I^'vine Corresj)ondence. 



XVII. — Marshel to Irvine. 

CATFisrr, Jidy 4, 1782. 

Sir: — Repeated application has been made to me by the 

inhabitants on the south line of this county, namely: from 

Jackson's fort^ to Buffalo creek,^ and I am at a loss to know 

what to do.^ The people declare they must immediately aban- 

' This fort was a short distance southwesterly from the present Waynes- 
burgh, county-town of Greene county, Pennsylvania. It was then in Wash- 
ington county, the former being set off from the last mentioned county in 
1796. 

^ Buffalo creek rises in what is now East Findley township, Washington 
county, Pennsylvania, flowing westerly into the Ohio. 

^ The following petitions, sent to Irvine by citizens of Washington and 
Westmoreland counties, show, in a clear light, the dangers and trials of the 
borders Irom the time of his first meeting, at Fort Pitt, with the field officers 
of the militia and some of the principal citizens of the west, to the 14th of 
July, 1782: 

[I.] 
'' To the Honorable General Irvine, commandant on the western waters: 

" Your humble petitioners showing forth our situation since the year 1777, 
that we have lived in a state of anarchy. We were in great hopes that your 
honor would have supported us that we could have lived at our own homes; 
but lately, learnmg that the station is evacuated, we expect nothing else but 
that the Indians will be immediately amongst us. Therefore, we, the sub- 
scribers, have met this day at the house of John McDonald. At the risk of 
our lives and fortunes, with the assistance of Almighty God, we are deter- 
mined to make a stop here the ensuing summer. We look upon it prudent 
to use the means as well as prayers. Therefore, sir, to you we look for aid 
and assistance, as we are but few in number, not able to repel the enemy. 
Therefore, we look to you for men, ammunition and arms. 

" We know that provision is scarce, therefore we will find the men that are 
sent to us, only allowing us rations-pay. The number of men we request is 
ten. McDonald, last Tuesday, waited on Colonel James Marshel, our county 
lieutenant, requesting him for some assistance of men, powder and lead. His 
answer was he could not furnish him with either. 

" Sir: — We understand that George Vallandigham is to sit in council with 
you to-morrow, who was a sufferer as well as we, and has lately left his place 
of abode and took his refuge near Colonel [John] Canon's. Pray, sir, ask of 
him our present situation. [Signed] Wm. Littell, Joshua Meeks, John Robb, 
James Littell, James Baggs, John Hull, Thomas Moon, John McDonald, 
John Reed, Wm. Anderson. 

"N. B. — The situation of McDonald's place is pleasant, lying and being 
on a knoll or advantageous piece of ground for any garrison. We the sub- 



Ajp])6ndix J. ^99 

don their habitations unless a few men are sent to them dur- 
ing harvest. They also declare their willingness to submit to, 

scribers observing that the states must have receiving and issuing stores, it is 
our opinion that according to McDonald's promise, we think it the best place 
for said stores. McDonald's promises are that the states shall have, without 
cost, his still -house, hogsheads, his cellar under his new house, together with 
the lowest story of his spring house, without price or fee to the states. "We 
have appointed Joshua Meeks and John McDonald to lay our petitions before 
your honor. April 5, 1782." 

[II.] 

"John Doddridge's Station, April 20, 1782. 
" To his excellency, General William Irvine, commander of the western 
department. 

'^ Sir: — The dangerous situation that our frontiers at present seem to be in 
obliges us, your humble petitioners, to beg for your assistance at such a diffi- 
cult time as it now is. Our case is such as follows, namely : We, the inhabit- 
ants near Mr. Alexander Wells' mill, are very unhandy to any other mill 
and daily open to the rage of a savage and merciless enemy, notwithstanding 
the great care that hath already been taken for our safety by placing guards 
on the river. The inhabitants that live near enough the mill to fort there look 
upon themselves not of sufficient force to guard the mill and carry on any 
labor to support their families. They will, therefore, undoubtedly break off, 
unless your excellency will please to grant them a few men to guard the mill. 
Unless this is done we must also break ground, as the mill is not only our 
main support in regard to bread for our families, but likewise in furnishing 
us with flour for every expedition that we are called to go upon. Their going 
off will expose us to another front side open. Therefore, we, your humble 
petitioners, pray that, if it is in your power to help us at such a difficult time, 
you will not be negligent in doing as much as possible. [Signed] Samuel 
Teter, Henry Nelson, James Scott, Philip Doddridge, Charles Stuart, John 
Comley, Walter Hill, Benjamin Pursle, Morris West, Thomas Shannon, John 
Marical, Michael Hough, Sen., John Carpenter, James Newell, William Mc- 
Climans, Aaron Sackett." 

[On the same day a like petition was sent in from the following persons 
living near Well's fort — George Brown, John Baxter, Matthew Fouke, Samuel 
Naylor, John Sappington, Sen., John Sappington, George Naylor, and, 
on the next day, a similar one from the following persons of Hoghland's 
station, near Alexander Well's mill: George McColloch, William Logan, 
John Biggs, Benj. Biggs, Zach. Biggs, Charles Hedges, James Andrews, 
Wm. Harrison, Sen., Nicholas Rodgers, Solomon Hedges, Joseph Hedges, 
Silas Hedges, Joseph Hedges, Jr., Isaac Meek, Wm. Bonar, D. Hoghland.] 

[111.] 
"To his excellency, General Irvine, commander-in-chief of the western 
department. 

^' Dear Sir: — We, the inhabitants, who live near Mr. Alex. Wells' mill, being 
very unhandy to any other mill, and daily open and exposed to the rage of a 



300 Washington- Irvine Correspondence. 

and supply tlie men on the faith of government. If you ap- 
prove of sending a few men to this frontier, you will please to 

savage and merciless enemy, notwithstanding the great attention paid by the 
general to our frontiers, and ordering men to be placed on the river, — yet 
those inhabitants who live near enough the mill to fort there, find ourselves 
unable to guard the mill and carry on labor for the support of our families; 
and so, of consequence, cannot continue to make a stand without some assist- 
ance. And it is clear that if this mill is evacuated many of the adjacent 
forts, at least seven or eight, that now hope to make a stand, must give up; 
as their whole dependence is on said mill for bread as well as every expedition 
from these parts. And scouting parties that turn out on alarms are supplied 
from here. Therefore, we, your humble petitioners, pray you would order us 
a few men to guard the mill — so valuable to many in these parts in particu- 
lar and the country in general. May 2, 1782. [Signed] James Edgar, Henry 
Gi-aham, David Vance, Arthur Campbell, Joseph Vance." 

[Nine days after, another and similar petition was, sent in from the inhabit- 
ants of Charles Wells' and other stations lying near Mr. Alex. Wells' mill. 
It was signed by Charles Wells, Charles Wells, Sen., William Hervey, James 
Miller, Henry Hervey, John McCormick, James McGuire, Baldwin Pierson, 
David Cox, Francis McGuire, William Sparks, Geo. McCoy, Thomas Smith. 
Another of like tenor was sent in on the 14th of May by the inhabitants of 
Mingo Bottom Fort and the vicinity of Alex. Wells' mill. It was signed by 
Edmond Polke, Richard Elson,Edmond Baxter, William West, Jacob Walter, 
Geo. Otter, Leonard Head, Zach. Fowler, John Decker, Luke Decker.] 

[IV.] 

" Washington County, Cross Creek Settlement, May 18, 1782. 
" We, your petitioners, have been several weeks in actual service on these 
waters and on the waters of Buffalo creek and finding the distressed situation 
of the frontier inhabitants by the daily incursions of the savages which we are 
fully of opinion the river guards cannot prevent, and as there are nine or ten 
forts that are constantly depending on Alexander Wells' mill for grinding 
where they are served and their woi-k with speed dispatched, we are entirely 
sensible that it is necessary and requisite that your excellency send a guard of 
seven, eight or nine men, to bo stationed at said mill for their safety and to 
the satisfaction and encouragement of the forts adjacent. We, your petition- 
ers, do reside in the interior parts of the country, though at present in the 
service of your excellency with all possible punctuality. [Signed] Benjamin 
White, captain; Albert Ramsey, captain; Nathan Powel, lieutenant. To his 
excellency, Brig. General Irvine." 

[V.] 

" To the honorable Brigadier (Jeneral Irvine, commanding the troops in the 

western department. 

" The petition of the frontier inhabitants of Brush creek most humbly show- 

eth: — That, since the commencement of the present war, the unabated fury 

of the savages hath been so particularly directed against us, that we are, at 



Appendix J. 301 

order the bearer such quantity of ammunition as you may 
think proper. 

last, reduced to such a degree of despondency and distress that we are now 
ready to shik under the insupportable pressure of this very great calamity. 
That from our fortitude and perseverance in supporting the line of the frontier 
and thereby resisting the incessant depredations of the enemy, our bravest 
and most active men have been cut off from time to time, by which our ef- 
fective force is so greatly reduced that the idea of further resistance is now 
totally vanished. That the season of our harvest is now fast approaching, in 
which we must endeavor to gather in our scanty crops, or otherwise subject 
ourselves to another calamity equally terrible to that of the seal ping-knife, — 
and from fatal experience, our fears suggest to us every misery that has usu- 
ally accompanied that season. That we are greatly alarmed at the misfor- 
tune attending the late excursion to the enemy's country [Crawford's 
expedition against Sandusky] ; as we have every reason to believe that their 
triumphs upon that occasion will be attended with fresh and still more vigor- 
ous exertions against us. 

"In this perilous situation, sir, we submit our case to your consideration 
and beg that it may be applied to the feelings of humanity and benevolence, 
which we firmly believe you possess. Wherefore we humbly pray for such an 
augmentation of our guard through the course of the harvest-season as will 
enable them to render us some essential service. But, as we know from ex- 
perience that no certain dependence can be placed on the militia upon these 
occasions, as some failure may probably happen on their part through the 
course of the season, — and as we have hitherto been accustomed to the pro- 
tection of the continental troops during the harvest season, we further pray, 
that we may be favored with a guard of your .soldiers, if it is not inconsistent 
with other duties enjoined on you. But particularly we pray, that what- 
ever guard may be allotted for us in future, may be ordered into the inhabited 
stations along the frontier, where they can be of service, either in covering our 
working-parties in the fields, or protecting our defenseless families in our ab- 
sence. And your petitioner.^ as in duty bound shall pray. Brush Creek, June 
22, 1782." 

[This petition, so unexceptionably elegant in diction, as well as powerfully 
strong and clear in the points stated, is signed by nineteen borderers, mostly Ger- 
mans. The document itself is in a bold and beautiful hand. It would be 
hard to find in all the I'evolutionary records of the west a more forcible state- 
ment of border troubles, in a few words, than this.] 

[^^•] '* July 14, 1782. 

^^Sir: — We, the inhabitants living on the Alleghany river, being much 
distressed on account of the Indians, cannot get our harvest in ; and our grain 
is now suffering on that account. We humbly implore your honor, if it 
pleases you, to assist us about two weeks with eight or ten men as a guard for 
us while we reap and gather our grain, and we are in duty bound to pray. To 
Brigadier General Irvine, commanding officer." [Names torn oft' the original.] 



302 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 



XYIII. — Marsiiel to Irvine. 

Washington County, July 17, 1782. 

Dear Sir: — Tours of the 15th I have received bj Mr. 
[Ebenezer] Zane, before tlie receipt of which I had ordered a 
draft for the post at "Wheeling and directed Colonel [Thomas] 
Crooks to relieve Colonel [John] Marshall,^ who is yet at that 
place, although I believe his party is very small at present. 
I understand few or none of the class ordered on duty with 
Colonel Crooks is gone out, but that they are associating to 
oppose taxation and prevent the sheriff collecting any more 
delinquent fines in that quarter. They have caused some of 
their officers to resign their commissions and threaten those 
who continue to act with tarring and feathering if they call 
upon them for any more militia duty. 

Indeed every day new difficulties arise in calling out the 
militia of this county, and those who do turn out on their 
tours behave so exceedingly ill that I am many times put to 
a stand to know what to do. However, it will not do to give 
up while anything can be done. I have, therefore, called out 
another class for that post and expect some of them at least 
will be there in a few days. In the meantime, I have directed 
Major [William] Pollock to send a few of the militia from 
the Mingo Bottom [on the east side of the Ohio] to Fort 
Henry until the last draft arrives. 

With regard to the meeting you recommend between Colo- 
nel [David] Shepherd and myself, I apprehend there will be 
no necessity for it. Colonel Shepherd appears friendly and 
well-disposed. Neither is there any dispute among the people 
as far as Ohio county extends; the whole of the opposition is 
from the inhabitants on the Monongahela river, who can have 
no pretense to claim protection from the government of Vir- 
ginia, nor do I believe they are countenanced by any officer of 
that government. I rather think they are encouraged b}' the 
new state party. 

' John Marshall, colonel 4th battalion, of Washington county militia, was 
a resident of Hopewell township, that county, a man of influence and a 
relative of the lieutenant of Washington county. 



Appendix J. 303 

lean give but very little account at present of the disposi- 
tion of the people of this county in carrying the expedition 
[proposed against Sandusky, this time to be commanded by 
Irvine in person]. We have had one meeting of part of the 
officers of the county, at which I informed them of the prin- 
ciples on which you would go and to which they unanimously 
agreed, and seemed very anxious to carry it on your plan or 
rather the plan proposed by "Westmoreland people; the only 
difference I find is, about the time of rendezvous. Those of 
the inhabitants I have talked with on the subject seem to 
think the 1st of August rather too soon; but that difficulty 
can be easily removed with the more sensible part of the peo- 
ple; and, in order to come as near the time proposed as possi- 
ble, I have appointed the 1st day of August for the officers to 
meet at Cattish Camp to make report of the number of vol- 
unteers raised and equipped in their respective districts, at 
which meeting (as I expect it will be general) I could wish 
you would attend, which I think would add new life to the 
expedition. I am almost certain it would be attended with 
good consequences. It will also be a good opportunity of ex- 
posing the narrowness of soul of those who prefer their 
private emolument to the public good.^ 

Maj. [William] Pollock this day informed me of the late 
expedition against Hannastown,^ etc.; a particular account of 
which (as I received it from him), I have written to the offi- 
cers of this county, and again urged the necessity of an expe- 
dition by every argument that appeared to have any weight. 
What effect it may have I know not at present. 

If a like stroke is made upon us as has been made on West- 
moreland, we should be at a loss for ammunition; and if you 
should judge it proper to deposit a quantity in some safe 
place in the county, I shall send for it as soon as 1 known 
your determination. 



' Gen. Irvine visited Catfish either on that day or just before, but the par- 
ticulars of his journey are wholly unknown. 

■■'That is, the attack on that place by the enemy (ante, pp. 140, note, 176, 
250). • 



30^ Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 



XIX. — Marsiiel to Irvine. 

[No date.Ji 

Dear Sir: — Your favor of the IStli, I have received. 1 am 
much surprised indeed at the account you have received from 
[John] Slover [pilot to the expedition against Sandusky]. The 
intelligence he gave me was bad, but nothing equal to what 
he has reported to you. He told me that the Indians expected 
we would carry another expedition against them this summer, 
and that, at their council, they had determined on two expe- 
ditions, one of which was designed against Wheeling; the 
other, they were not fully determined whether this country or 
Kentucky should be the object; that, in the meantime, they 
would keep out spies on our frontier in order to watch our 
motions and take a prisoner to know our determination. He 
did not mention a word to me either of their number or of 
bringing artillery. He said the Indians informed him that 
the night our people left the field at Sandusky, there were 
some British troops from Detroit within a few miles of them 
(I think seven); that they had two field pieces and one mortar. 
This I think is nearly what he told me on his arrival.^ With 

' The above letter was written about the 20th of July, 1782. 

'^ John Slover, one of the guides upon the expedition under Crawford against 
Sandusky, after his arrival on the frontier and while on his way to Fort Pitt, 
seems to have had an interview with Marshel. It is evident also from the 
above letter that what he told him was in brief what he had heard and seen 
in the wilderness up to the time of his escape from the savages as afterward 
given more fully to Irvine, and at considerable length to H. H. Bracken- 
ridge, who wrote out his narrative (ante, p. 128, note). He gave to the lat- 
ter, however, no information concerning the presence of British troops on the 
Sandusky (as he mentioned to Marshel and Irvine) or relative to artillery 
being brought so near the battle field; at least, nothing is said of either in his 
published account; nevertheless, his relation concerning them was strictly 
true. 

The following from "The Short Biography of John Leeth " (pp. 15, 16) is, 
probably, the only account extant of incidents transpiring at Upper San- 
dusky immediately before the arrival of Crawford's army; it has information 
also concerning the bringing of cannon by the rangers: 

"Tlie spring following, I was married to a young woman, seventeen or 
eighteen years of age, also a prisoner to the Indians, who had been taken by 
them when about twenty months old. I was then in my twenty-fourth year. 
Our place of residence was in Moravian Town [GnadenhuettenJ for about two 
years; about which time Col. Williams [Col. Daniel BrodheadJ, an American 



Appendix J. 305 

regard to his character, I am altogether unacquainted; but I 
think there is reason to suspect his veracity.^ I could wish he 

officer, took possession of Coshocton [in the spring of 1781]; and shortly after, 
the British and their Indian allies took Moravian Town, with me, my wife and 
children, and all the Moravians, prisoners and carried us to [Upper] Sandusky. 

"After arriving at [Upper] Sandusky, the British would not suffer me to 
trade on my own footing and for myself; but five of them having placed their 
funds into one general stock, employed me to attend to their business for 
them; and two of them being my old employers, they gave me the same 
wages as before. Whilst in this employ, Cols. Williams [Williamson] and 
Crawford marched with an army against Sandusky, at which time I was 
closely watched by the Indians and had to make my movements with particu- 
lar regularity, though I had spies going to and fro by whom I could hear every 
evening where the army was encamped, for several days. 

" One evening I was informed the army was only fifteen miles distant [near 
the present village of Wyandot, Wyandot county, Ohio], when I immediately 
sent the hands to gather the horses, etc., to take our goods to Lower Sandusky. 
I packed up the goods (about £1,500 worth in silver, furs, powder, lead, etc.) 
with such agility that by the next morning at daylight we started for Lower 
Sandusky. I also took all the cattle belonging to the company along. After 
traveling about three miles, I met Capt. [Matthew] Elliott, a British officer; 
and, about twelve miles farther on, I met the whole British army, composed 
of Col. Butler's Rangers [a company from Deti-oit, under the command of 
Capt. William Caldwell]. They took from me my cattle and let me pass. 

" That night I encamped about fourteen miles above Lower Sandusky, when, 
just after I had encamped and put out my horses to graze, there came to my 
camp a man who was a French interpreter to the Indians [Francis Le Vellier]. 
'Well,' said he, ' I believe I will stay with you to-night and take care of 
you.' I told him he could remain there for the night, but I intended starting 
early in the morning. Next morning, after we had got our horses loaded 
ready to start and the Frenchman had mounted his horse, we heard a cannon 
fire at Upper Sandusky. The Frenchman clapped hi^ hand to his breast and 
said, ' I shall be there before the battle is begun;' but, alas, poor fellow! he 
got there too soon. Without fear or any thought but victory he went on to 
where a parcel of Indians were painting and pi'eparing for battle; put on a 
ruffled shirt, and painted a red spot on his breast, saying, — ' Here is a mark 
for the Virginia I'iflemen;' and shortly after marched with the Indians to 
battle, where in a short time he received a ball in the very spot and died 
instantaneously. 

" I arrived at Lower Sandusky on the second day, and remained there three 
days to hear the event. At length the Americans under Col. Williams 
[WiUiainson] stole a retreat on the Indians who were gathering around them 
in great numbers; but Col. Crawford, with most of his men was taken by 
them. They tomahawked all his men and burnt him alive." 

' Slover's character was that of an honorable man as already explained 
(p. 129, note). 
20 



306 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

might be checked, for the reports he spreads in the country 
have a most evil tendency. 



XX. — Makshel to Irvine. 

July 30, 1782. 
Dear Sir: — This moment came to hand the inclosed circular 
letter.^ The account Mr. [Samuel] McCoUoch gives, no doubt is 
true; therefore I have directed Colonel [Matthew] Ritchie, 
sub-lieutenant, to send for such quantity of ammunition as 
you may think proper to spare. The timely intelligence of 
the enemy's approach, I think is a very lucky circumstance. 
The frontier forts are all alarmed as far as the Mingo Bottom 
[on the east side of the Ohio], and I expect by this evening 
we shall have a considerable number of men on the frontier. 
I could wish this alarm might not prevent the proposed meet- 
ing at Catfish. 



XXI. — Marshel to Irvine. 

Friday Morning, August 2, 1782. 

Dear Sir: — I have just now been informed by express that 
a small party of Indians have been discovered at the Mingo 
Bottom [on the east side of the Ohio] yesterday morning; that 
they continue about the fort, and that a party (supposed to be 
large) on the other side of the river has .been heard cutting 
wood both above and below the fort; that some of their party 
on this side the river took a canoe from the fort last night and 
has it lying in view on their own shore. 

The same express also informs me that the trail of the party 
which crossed at Glenn's bottom, near Wheeling, has been dis- 
covered coming into the settlement up Buffalo creek. They 
are now supposed to be near Ramsey's fort. 

Although I have not yet ascertained with certainty either 
tire situation of the enemy or of our militia, yet I have 
thought it best to inform you of the circumstance, as perhaps 

' From Major Samuel McCoUoch, See Appendix M,— Bayard to McCleery, 
August 4, 1782, note. 



Appendix J. 307 

you may think proper to move down the river as far as the 
Mingo Bottom immediately. Should this be your determina- 
tion, I could wish to be informed by this express.^ 



XXII. — Irvine to Marshel. 

Fort Pitt, August 10, 1782. 
Sir: — An address was handed me this day signed by the 
principal inhabitants of the frontier on the waters of Buffalo 
and Tenmile.^ Though I do not think there is so much dan- 
ger as they apprehend, yet, if they run, the consequence is the 
same, and I do not wish any more breaches made in the settle- 
ments. I hope the present intelligence will soon put the peo- 
ple into better spirits. I would be glad to countenance every 
part of the country, and think a little time will persuade 

' Irvine complied with Marshel's request. On Sunday morning following, 
he marched with a party of regulars " toward the Mingo Bottom." See 
Appendix M, — Bayard to McCleery, August 4, 1782. 

^ Tenmile creek empties into the Monongahela on the left, at Millsboro, 
Washington county, Pennsylvania. The following is the address referred 
to, — the original, which is before me, being in the beautiful handwriting of 
the noted Thaddeus Dod: 

" Washington County, August 7, 1782. 
"May it please your honor: 

" We, the inhabitants of the frontiers on the headwaters of Tenmile and 
Buft'alo creeks, in the county of Washington, finding our dangers and dis- 
tresses still increasing upon us through the disorderly state of our public 
affairs and the continual alarms from the encroachments of the savages, are 
driven to the necessity to apply to you and humbly to implore your assistance. 

" We shall not pretend to dictate to you as to the manner of affording us 
aid, nor shall we trouble you with a long detail of our calamities. As to our 
circumstances, we shall refer you, sir, to the bearer hereof [Van Swearingenl, 
whom we confide in as being fully acquainted therewith. We are not insen- 
sible of the difficulties of granting assistance to us, which arise from the 
opposition to the lawful authority of the state, but as we have ever been and 
still desire to be in subjection to the authority, we humbly hope and re- 
quest that we might not be indiscriminately punished for the faults of those 
who, living out of danger themselves, feel not the necessity of proper regula- 
tions in our country. We, therefore, without taking up any more of your at- 
tention, subscribe ourselves, sir, your most humble servants. Thaddeus Dod, 
David Dille, Patrick Allison, Demas Lindsly, Thomas Atkinson, John Dickin- 
son, Samuel Dickerson, Samuel Magon, Jno. Craig." 



308 Washington-Ti^ine Corre8jpond.ence. 

them to determine on remaining on their places. You will 
therefore call oat one officer and twenty men, to range on that 
quarter for two weeks only (for the present); by that time the 
people will be able to get in their grain and hay, and probably 
affairs may put on a more favorable appearance. I should be 
glad for several reasons, that an active, good officer could be 
ordered on this service. Captain [Andrew] Swearingen will 
victual them, and I will direct Captain [Thomas] Parkison to 
take it into his accounts. Tlie officer will therefore be directed 
to apply to, and make his' arrangements with, Captain Swear- 
ingen respecting provisions and ammunition. 



XXIII. — Marshel to Irvine. 

Washington County, August 26, 1782. 
Dear Sir: — By the inclosed resolutions you will learn the 
result of our last meeting at Catfish.^ The meeting was gen- 
eral, and the officers and principal inhabitants who met on 

' The following record of the proceedings of the meeting gives the resolu- 
tions mentioned by Marshel : 

" At a meeting of the officers and principal inhabitants of Washington 
county, at Catfish Camp, on Thursday, the 22d of August, 1782, for the pur- 
pose of carrying an expedition under the command of Brigadier General 
Irvine against Sandusky or other Indian towns bordering on our frontier, 

" Resolved, That each and every battalion Washington county militia shall 
furnish th3 quota of men, provision and pack-horses equipped for transpor- 
tation hereunto annexed to each and every battalion respectively, namely : 

Men. Horses. Rations. 

1st Battalion, commanded by Col. [Henry] Enoch 61 22 3,600 

2d " " " " [Geo.] Vallandigham 165 

3d " " " ♦' [David] Williamson. 140 

4th " " " " [John] Marshall.... 140 

5th " " " " [Thomas] Crooks... 165 

671 252 40,200 



62 


9,900 


53 


8,400 


53 


8,400 


62 


9,900 



" Resolved, That each and every person furnishing 200 rations (each ration 
to consist of 13^ pounds flour and Ij^^ pounds beef) and delivei'ing the same 
at the time and place appointed by the commanding officer of each battalion, 
shall be exempted a two months' tour of duty under the law, in future, in 
lieu thereof that each and every person who shall deliver a good pack-horse 



Appendix J. 300 

the occasion were unanimous in sentiment, except the infa- 
mous ^ who labored all his might to set aside all law 

and government and depend wholly upon the virtue of the 
people for raising and equipping this county's quota of men. 
However, notwithstanding all his and other designing men's 
opposition, I have no doubt of raising and equipping the pro- 
posed number, about five hundred men (perhaps more), and 
that we shall be able to rendezvous at such place as you may 
appoint, by the 15th of September, which will be as soon as 
the people of this county can possibly be in readiness. 

fit for the service, properly equipped with a halter, pack-saddle, lashing-rope 
and two kegs, or one good bag, and delivering the same as aforesaid, shall in 
like manner be exempted a tour as above mentioned. 

'' Resohed, That it be recommended to each company to choose three good 
men of their own body who shall be empowered to assess upon each and 
every delinquent person not furnishing as aforesaid his proportionable share 
of the expense of what provision and pack-horses may be necessary, in pro- 
portion to the value of his estate ; and in case the company being legally 
called should refuse to choose such men, then the captain of such company 
shall, with the delegate elected to represent them in the councU, choose the 
men as aforesaid; and when there is no representation, then in that case the 
captain shall call to his assistance his two subaltern officer and choose as 
aforesaid; provided, the same is effected on or before the 6th day of Septem- 
ber next. 

" Besohed, That if any of the said horses as aforesaid impressed or entered 
equipped and appraised, and proceeding on said expedition, be lost in said 
service, shall, unless paid for by government in the term of one year, be paid 
by the company in proportion to their estates. 

" Resolved, That each captain keep a fair account of each and every per- 
son's subscription of provision and pack-horses in their respective districts ; 
also a duplicate list of their subscriptions when delivered at the time and 
place appointed by the commanding officer of the battalion, which said dupli- 
cate list, or a certified copy thereof, shall be forthwith transmitted to the lieu- 
tenant or the sub-lieutenant of the district, in order as well to ascertain the 
person who complies with his subscription, as that they may be paid for or 
have discount with government for the same in the present or future taxes. 

'^Resolved, That each battalion deposit at one or more miUs in their re- 
spective district, their quota of wheat on or before the 6th day of September 
next. Signed by order of the council, James ilARsnEL. 

"Test: William Pollock, Clerk." 

' This name, although given in the original letter, I have thought best to 
omit in this connection. The language of Marshel is perhaps stronger than 
the exigencies of the ca^e demanded. 



310 Washington- Irvine Correspondence. 



XXIV. — Irvine to Maeshel, 

Fort Pitt, August 27, 1782. 
Dear Sir: — Your favor of yesterday is now before me. 
The resolutions, I think, are very well; the execution is 
another thin^. However, I trust you will not be mistaken 
notwithstanding. I expect you will furnish me with accurate 
returns of men, horses, and provision the soonest [time] pos- 
sible, that I may actually depend on being assembled at the 
general rendezvous on the day I shall appoint. I presume 
you will be able to furnish me with these returns on the 8th 
of September at farthest, for, after that date, there will be full 
little time for my orders to circulate, appointing time and 
place. My final determination and orders shall therefore de- 
pend on them. The 15th will be late, but if you cannot be 
ready before, it must do. I expect [the lieutenant of West- 
moreland county] Colonel [Edward] Cook's returns this 
night or to-morrow. I wrote you by Captain [John] Hughes 
yesterday, by which you will perceive I was apprised of the 
opposition you mention. 

XXV. — Marshel to Irvine. 

Washington County, August 29, 1782. 
Dear Sir: — Your favors of the 26th and 27th inst. I have 
received, and am much obliged to you for your opinion re- 
specting the plan for raising and equipping our quota of men 
in this county. I perceive you have been apprized of the 
opposition we have met with and that the account you had by 
report, of the resolutions entered into by the officers and prin- 
cipal people of this county, was not altogether true. Not- 
withstanding the plan is not so clearly and fully expressed in 
the resolves as I could wish, yet, if it is well executed, it will 
do; and at present I have no more doubt of its being carried 
into effect (at least so far as will answer the end) than I have 
of my own existence. It may be that I am too sanguine in 
my expectations; but I am willing to leave tlie general ren- 
dezvous to determine whether the gentlemen opposing or those 
executing the plan have the most influence in the county. 



Ajypendix J. 311 

I have not only directed the field officers to appoint the 
place of rendezvous; [to name] suitable persons to superin- 
tend the pack-horses, stock, flour, assistant drivers, etc.; and 
to make returns on the Tth of September of the number of 
men, horses and rations that may be depended upon in their 
respective districts: but have also appointed the 13th of 
September, for their assembling as aforesaid, with every ap- 
paratus for the campaign (except salt), and to hold themselves 
in readiness to march on the morning of the lith to the gen- 
eral rendezvous which I considered you would not appoint 
later than the 15th, and that the people of this county could 
not possibly be called to a general rendezvous before that time. 

The returns you require shall be transmitted as soon as pos- 
sible. All the companies in Colonels [David] Williamson 
and [John] Marshall's battalions that I have heard from have 
raised the full quota of men, pack-horses and provision as- 
signed them: I expect the others will do the same. 

I do not know whether you have thought how the men on 
the expedition are to be supplied with salt and camp kettles; 
for my part, I have not till lately; — the latter, in my last 
order to the field officers, I have mentioned, and requested 
them to procure as many as possible: the former I durst not 
mention for fear of disaffecting the people, although it is ab- 
solutely necessary, and it cannot be got by any other means. 

We must yet call upon the different companies to supply 
themselves with that article; but, if possible, let it be done 
some other way. 

Captain [John] Hughes informs me you require a troop of 
light horse from this county to consist of forty-five or fifty 
men; I have thereupon assigned each battalion its quota, and 
ordered them to be raised and equipped. If you have no ob- 
jection, I propose that Captain Hughes and his officers take 
command of them during the expedition. 

I have been thinking of some suitable persons to be ap- 
pointed superintendents general of the pack-horses, etc., but 
cannot yet fix my judgment. It is likely at the general ren- 
dezvous I shall be better able to give my opinion with regard 
to these appointments. 



312 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 



XXVI. — Marsiiel to Irntne. 

Thnrsdaij, Septeml)er 12, 1782. 

Dear Sir: — By an express this moment arrived from 
Wheeling 1 have received the following intelligence, namely: 
that a hirge trail, by supposition about two hundred Indians, 
wasdiscoveredyesterday about three o'clock near to that place. 
Captain Boggs who brought tlie account says that wJien he 
hud left the fort about one mile and a half he heard the 
swivel at "Wheeling fired and one rifle. lie further says that 
Ebenezer McCoUoch from Vanmeter's fort,^ on his way to 
"Wheeling got within half a mile of the place shortly after 
Boggs left it where he was alarmed by hearing a heavy and 
constant tire about the fort, and makes no doubt the fort was 
then attacked.^ 

Boo-'i'S is now gone into the settlements to alarm the inhab- 
itants and I am afraid will injure the expedition. As we 
have had so many false alarms this summer, I cannot think of 
making much ado about the present, until the truth of it is 
known with certainty. Notwithstanding, 1 should be inexcusa- 
ble in not giving you the account as I have received it. 

From what I can learn the people of this county are mak- 
ing every preparation in their power for the expedition, and I 
believe nothing will prevent us from raising and equipping 
nearly our quota, if the present alarm does not. As the time 
your last order had to circulate was very short, it is likely the 
men will not be all collected to the general rendezvous before 
the 19th. If anything material occurs on the frontier you 
may expect the earliest intelligence in my power. 

' This fort was situated on the south side of Short creek, a few miles above 
its junction with the Ohio river, in Ohio county, Virginia. The land on 
which it was located belonged to the widow and heirs of Joseph Vanmeter, 
and was subsequently owned by his eldest son, Morgan Vanmeter. In 1847, 
it belonged to the heirs of George Mathews. 

^ See Appendix M, — Ebenezer Zane to Irvine, September 17, 1782. 



Apjpendix J. 313 



XXYII. — Marshel to Irvine. 

Sunday Morning^ Septemher 15, 1782, 

Dear Sir: — You may depend upon it as matter of fact 
that a large party of Indians are now in our country. Last 
night I saw two prisoners [deserters from the enemy] who 
made their escape from Wheeling in time of the action, and 
they say the enemy consists of two hundred and thirty-eight 
Indians and forty rangers, the latter commanded by a British 
officer; that they attacked Wheeling fort on Wednesday night 
and continued the attack until Thursday night, at which time 
the above deserters left them. That fort, they say, was the 
principal object of the enemy; but it appears both from their 
account and the enemy's advancing into the country that they 
have despaired of taking it.^ The deserters saj^ that shortly 
before they left the enemy, that they had determined to give 
up the matter at Wheeling, and either scatter into small 
parties in order to distress and plunder the inhabitants, or at- 
tack the first small fort they could come at. The latter, I am 
this moment informed, is actually the case; that tliey have at- 
tacked one. Rice's blockhouse, on what is called the Dutch fork 
of Buffalo, and it's to be feared it will fall into their hands,^ 
as only those have been called upon who are not going on the 
expedition; I am afraid they will not turn out as well as they 
ought to do. 

If the enemy continue to advance in one body, the matter 
will become serious and perhaps require our whole strength 
to repel them; but if it can possibly be avoided, I could wish 
not to call upon a man that is going on the expedition.^ Be- 
sides the battalion rendezvous is appointed as soon as the men 
could possibly be collected, unless the officers have made other 

' See Appendix M,— Zane to Irvine, September 17, 1782. 

''Rice^ fort was about fourteen miles from Wlieeling. Marshel's fears 
were not well founded. The fort was attacked, it is true, but the enemy were 
repulsed by a garrison of only six men, the Indians losing four of their 
warriors. 

2 That is, the expedition against Sandusky, then in contemplation by Gen- 
eral Irvine. 



Sllf. WasJiington-Irvine C orresjpondence. 

appointments,, as you will see by Colonel [William] McCleery's 
letter they have done in the first battalion. Ko doubt ammu- 
nition will be wanted on this occasion, a small quantity suck 
as the bearer can carry will do. 

P. S. — Should you think of joining the militia, Catfish 
Camp at present appears to me to be the most suitable place 
to establish your headquarters, at which place I shall order 
one battalion to rendezvous on Tuesday next; I mean those 
that are going on the expedition, as Catfish will be in their 
way to Fort Mcintosh. 

XXYIII. — Ievine to Maksiiel. 

Fort Pitt, Septemher 15, 1782. 

Dear Sir: — I received your favor of this date, and am 
under some difficulty to determine what is best to be done. 
I am prepared for marching to any point at a moment's warn- 
ing. If the enemy should advance in force into the country, 
the repelling them will, beyond a doubt, become clearly a 
duty; but, on the other hand, if I do not go to the general 
rendezvous at the time appointed, every body who may assem- 
ble there and not find me, will immediately disperse; and if I 
should order the rendezvous to be postponed but one day, they 
will not obey a second summons in any time. Upon the 
whole, either the expedition must be given up entirely, and 
make an ol)ject of these rascals altogether, or we must keep 
going on with the expedition, at least, till the matter can be 
clearly ascertained whether the enemy are advancing or 
retreating. 

If matters become so serious that the expedition must give 
way to immediate preservation of the country, I will march 
instantly to your quarter. In this, I will govern my move- 
ments by the intelligence I shall from time to time receive 
from you. If I do not, therefore, hear from you again before 
next Wednesday morning at six o'clock, I shall take for 
granted they have left the country, and will proceed to Mc- 
intosh.^ On the other hand, should there be a necessity for 

' This fixes the date as the 18th of September, for the assembling. From, 
the following undated communication of General Irvine's, and without ad- 



Appendix J. 315 

mj aid, you will by all means advise me, and in the meantime 
let the people for the expedition goon assembling. I presume 
they will not collect much sooner at any rate. I will join 
whenever it may be adjudged most advisable. 



XXIX. — Maeshel to Irvine. 

September 16, 1782. 
Dear Sir: — The bearer is one of the deserters from the 
enemy in time of the action at Wheeling. Some people say 
the other deserters report this fellow is a villain. However, 
be that as it may, I think it best to send him to you that such 
order may be taken respecting him as you may think proper. 



XXX. — Makshel to Irvine. 

September 16, 1782. 

Dear Sir: — About half an hour before the receipt of your 
letter of the 15th, I had dispatched an express to you, which 
I expect you will receive by the bearer.^ 

The enemy, I am in hopes, are dispersed; therefore, we 
shall go on with the rendezvous with all possible expedition, 
although it will not be in our power to be at Mcintosh before 
the 21st; perhaps some may be there sooner. 



XXXI. — Marshel to Irvine. 

September 16, 1782. 
Dear Sir: — A few minutes after I wrote you yesterday 
morning, I received an account of the enemy being within 

dress, but evidently a copy of a circular letter sent to the county lieutenants, 
it is seen that the day fixed upon and the plac3 for the general rendezvous, 
agree with the above : " Ample time having been given for the mihtia, vol- 
unteers and others, to prepare for the expedition, you will direct those of your 
county to assemble at Fort McTntosh on the 18th inst. with their several quotas 
of provisions, horses and other equipments; and I expect they will come there 
in such perfect order in every respect as that the whole will be able to take 
up the line of march the succeeding day. I am aware a number of difficul- 
ties will arise, but I am certain that they may all be surmounted by a deter- 
mined people." 

'The deserter from the enemy, who carried the previous latter; that is, the 
other one of this date. 



31G Wasldiicjtoii-Irvine Correspondence. 

one mile and a half of Wells' mill; that they had burnt a 
house and destroyed the family; in consequence of which, I 
immediately ordered the militia of the fourth battalion [Col. 
John Marshall's] as well those for the expedition as others, to 
rendezvous at my house, and the third [Col. David William- 
son's] and fifth [Col. Thomas Crooks'] battalions to rendezvous 
at Catfish [now Washington, Washington count}']. However, 
the alarm with regard to the house being burnt was false, not- 
withstanding at the time I had no doubt of it being true. 

It now appears to me from every circumstance that the 
main body of the enemy is gone over the [Ohio] river and that 
a small party remains on our frontier to annoy ns and prevent 
the others being followed. As part of the militia of this 
county — that for the expedition — has been ordered to ren- 
dezvous on this occasion and others who mean to go now live 
on the frontier, they cannot possibly rendezvous on the day 
appointed, nor do I know your determination at present, there- 
fore can only order the men to hold themselves'in readiness. 
If I have no other accounts from the frontier this day, I 
shall direct the volunteers for the expedition to return home 
and await marching orders, which 1 shall expect to receive 
from you. 

XXXII. — Irvine to Marshel. 

Fort Pitt, September IS, 1782, 9 o'clock, P. M. 

Sir: — I have this moment received dispatches from the 
[continental] secretary at war,^ informing me that some regu- 
lar troops are ordered from below to assist us in our intended 
expedition. I am therefore to beg you will immediately 
countermand the march of the volunters and others of j^our 
county till further orders. As soon as I am positively assured 
of the time the troops will be here, I shall give you the ear- 
liest notice. I hope the good people of your county will not 
think hard to be stopped, as the measure is designed for the 
best and to insure success if possible. 

In the meantime, you will please to direct that they hold 

'Lincoln to Irvine, September 7, 1782 (ante, p. 181). 



Appendix J. 3 17 

themselves in perfect readiness to march at a moment's warning; 
and for this purpose, would it not be best to deposit the flour 
in some convenient place in each battalion, and also have the 
cattle pastured in parcels? As far as I am yet instructed, 
about the 6th of October will be the time for our next ren- 
dezvous. It must, however take place on a certain day, as it 
is intended also to favor an expedition from another quarter.' 
You shall hear from me soon ao^ain.^ 



XXXIII. — Makshel to Irvine. 

Washington County, October 15, 1782, 
5 o'clock, A. M. 
Dear Sir: — Your favor of the 13th, only came to hand 
late last night, the express unfortunately took sick by the 
way; it is therefore out of my power to stop the militia of 
this county until they rendezvous in battalion. If they are 
sent home, I am clearly of opinion they can not be collected 
again this season even if the troops from below should arrive 
in a few days. JSTumbers of them have missed saving fall 
crops on account of holding themselves in readiness for the 
expedition ; others are obliged to go over the mountains for 
necessary articles; and the season is so far advanced that 
almost every person in the country will be engaged in secur- 
ing their corn, etc.; so that they will entirely lose sight of the 
expedition. To detain them at the battalion rendezvous 
would be a waste of time and provision at an uncertainty; 
besides I fear it could not be done. The militia of this 
county will not stay long at one place unless they are con- 
fined. Indeed I fear a delinquency in Westmoreland full as 
much as in this county, if not more so. Upon the whole, my 
opinion is that the matter must be given np for this season; 
but lest I should be wrong, will not throw out the remotest 
hint of it until I hear from you again. I shall direct the 

* The expedition here referred to was one contemplated against the Genesee 
Indian towns. 

- A similar letter was sent to Colonel Cook, lieutenant of Westmoreland 
county. 



318 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

iield officers to discharo-e their battalions until farther orders: 
in the meantime, take their opinion with regard to the dispo- 
sition of the people, and if it appears that they can be rallied 
again, you may depend upon ev^ery exertion in my power if 
required. 

P. S. — I shall write Colonel [David] Shepherd agreeable to 
your request. 

I have all the cash in my hand I received from you except 
the price of the kegs and twenty-one pounds to Colonel 
[David] Williamson for cattle; this I expect will be returned 
if required. ^ 



XXXIY. — Maeshel to Irvine. 

"Washington County, Octoler 21, 1782. 

Dear Sir: — This will be delivered to you by Mr. Robert 
Wallace, who will also inform you of his intention of applying 
to his excellency. General Washington, in order to get his 
family exchanged. He will also give you his idea of the man- 
ner in which the exchange is to be effected, etc. Notwith- 
standing I have no great opinion of the practicability of his 
plan, yet if anything can be done for him in the line he pro- 
poses, I make no doubt you will put him on the right track or 
save him further trouble.^ 

I am anxious to know the reason why the troops have not 
oome from below. I hope you will not forget (if Major 

• Mention has been made of the capture of Robert Wallace's family (ante, 
pp. 99, 240). Wallaca's wife, a son ten years old, another aged two-and-a-half 
years, and an infant daughter, constituted the family. Mrs. Wallace and her 
infant were, soon after the capture, tomahawked and scalped ; but the two 
boys were taken to Sandusky, where the oldest died. The other was finally 
rescued by his father from the savages. A little over eight months had 
elapsed since the family were taken, to the date of the above letter; yet, from 
the words of Marshel, it is evident Wallace had obtained no knowledge of the 
death of his wife and infant daughter. This is a singular fact, as both were 
killed by the savages before they reached the Ohio. He had not learned, also, 
of the death of his eldest child, at the above date. It will be seen by refer- 
ence to page 239, note 4, last line, that the killing of the wife and daughter 
was unknown upon the border when the militia started for " Muskingum." 



Appendix J. 319 

[John] Rose^ is returned) to write me by Mr. "Wallace. I 
could wish that the cattle for which I paid Colonel [David] 
Williamson might be sent for as soon as possible. They are 
now at his house. He informs me they are troublesome to 
him, he not having pasture of his own. 



XXXY. — Makshel to Irvine. 

Washington County, October 25, 1782. 

Dear Sir: — Your favor of the 20th with the inclosed I re- 
ceived yesterday evening, which will enable me, I hope, to 
satisfy the people who may ask me the reason why the expedi- 
tion is stopped. JSTotwithstanding, it is very extraordinary in- 
deed that you have received no official account of the expedition 
being laid aside. It may be the thoughts of peace being near, 
was the cause of this neglect. I sincerely wish with you that 
an honorable peace may soon take place; and, that no mistake 
may happen, at any rate nothing shall be wanting in my power 
to prepare either for peace or war. 

The public arras in this county I shall order to be carried 
into Fort Pitt immediately. The cash remaining in my hands 
1 have sent by Colonel [William] Parker with an account of 
my expenditures, but have not taken any receipts, as I intended 
to do this business at the rendezvous; therefore, have made 
you " Dr." in the account. The necessary vouchers, besides 
the delivery of the articles purchase i, I shall transmit the first 
opportunity. 

If an officer and about twenty-five men from you could be 
spared a few days as a guard to the sheriff of this county, it 
would enable him to collect the delinquent [militia] fines, 
which would be of infinite service to the county, and also 
prepare us for a settlement of public accounts. Colonel Parker 
will confer with you on the subject. 

' Major R6se was one and Capt. Sam'l Brady the other of the " officer 
express " sent by Irvine eastward, to find out why the regulars expected at 
Fort Pitt, for the Sandusky expedition, were so tardy, and to hasten their 
march (ante, p. 134, note 2). 



320 Wasliincjton-Irvine C ori'espondence. 

i 

XXXVI. — Marsiiel to Irvine. 

Washington County, November 1, 1782. 
Dear Sir: — Colonel [Edward] Cook [lieutenant of West- 
moreland county] applies to me for a few volunteers as a 
guard for the artists to run the state line. I expect to raise 
some for that service, but have not any ammunition to give 
them. Colonel [Thomas] Crooks also borrowed three pounds 
powder and four and one-half pounds lead, when he went to 
serve his tour at Wheeling, which was to be replaced. I am 
now called upon for it. If you will please to send me the 
above quantity, also live pounds powder and six or seven of 
lead, for the volunteers now going on duty, you will oblige 
[me]. 

XXXVII. — Marshel to Irvine.^ 

Washington, May IS, 1783. 
Dear Sir: — Colonel [David] Williamson informs me that 
a large party of Indians have been discovered on Thursday 
last about twenty miles below Wheeling: that they have 
routed the land jobbers'^ on the other side of the [Ohio] river, 
and are expected to cross about the place they were first dis- 
covered. From every circumstance I can learn, it appears 
that the party is formidable and that they mean to strike in 
different places. What the consequence may be God only 
knows, for I do not believe that fifty volunteers can be raised 
in the county to repel them. At any rate, ammunition will be 
wanting for the frontier inhabitants if none else should be got 
to use it. You will please therefore to send by the bearer 
such quantity as you may think necessary. Should the alarm 
prove false, I shall take special care that none of it be wasted. 

^ This letter was written while Irvine was absent from Fort Pitt, at his 
home in Carlisle. It was directed, — "To General Irvine or, in his absence, 
Colonel Bayard, commanding Fort Pitt." It closed the correspondence be- 
tween Marshel and Irvine. 

''That is, the "new' state " settlers (ante, p. 196, et seq. 



APPENDIX K. 



CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE LIEUTENANT OF WESTMORE- 
LAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.! 



I. — Ievine to Edward Cook.^ 
[circular.] 

Fort Pitt, January^ 1782. 
Sir: — I am to go down to Philadelphia on business con- 
nected with my command here; and, as I am not certain what 
time I may be detained there, I am apprehensive there may 
be an absolute necessity for calling out some militia before I 

^ Extract from the proceedings of the supreme executive council of Penn- 
sylvania : 

"In Council," Philadelphia, Satiirday, January 5, 1782. 

"The council took into consideration the appointment of a lieutenant for 
the county of Westmoreland, in the room of Archibald Lochry, Esquire, de- 
ceased; and Edward Cook, Esquire, sub-lieutenant of the said county, being 
recommended to the board as a proper person for said oflSce: thereupon, 

"Resolved, That Edward Cook, Esquire, be appointed lieutenant of the 
county of Westmoreland in the room of Archibald Lochry, Esquire, deceased, 
and that he be commissioned accordingly." 

' Edward Cook was born Jan. 1, 1739, of English parentage, in the Cumber- 
land valley, on the Conococheague, then in Lancaster, now Franklin county, 
Pennsylvania. His father was probably a farmer. Edward first made a 
prospecting tour across the mountains. In 1770, he removed to the " Forks 
of Yough ' ' between the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers, now Fayette 
county. He first established a store, and afterward a line of pack-horses 
across the mountains. In 1776, he had completed and moved in a stone 
house, yet standing, where he lived and died. At an early day, he not only kept 
a store, but erected mills, farmed, had a still house, and owned slaves. He was 
a member of the committee of conference which met at Carpenter's Hall, 
June 18, 1776, and of the convention of July 15, following. In 1777, he was 
appointed by the general assembly one of the commissioners from Penn- 
sylvania to meet those from the other states, which assembled at New Haven, 
Connecticut, November 22, 1777, to regulate the prices of commodities. In 

1781, he was in command of a battalion of rangers for frontier defence, and 
was a sub-lieutenant of Westmoreland, 1780-1. On the the 5th of January, 

1782, he was, as stated in the note immediately preceding this, made lieuten- 

21 



322 Washi7igton-Irvine Correspondence. 

return, especially as this garrison must be employed in repair- 
ing the fort. Colonel Gibson will command in my absence, 
and will be the best judge when this necessity will arise. 

On his requisition you will therefore order out such num- 
bers of militia (not exceeding sixty) for one tour from your 
county, as he will call for, the tour not to be for a longer term 
than one month.^ I hope to return by the first of March, be- 
fore which time, I presume there will not be much danger of 
any damage being done; at the same time, I think it most 
prudent to take every proper precaution.^ 

ant of the county, in place of Archibald Lochry, deceased. This office he 
continued to hold until the erection of Fayette county, in 1783. 

On the 25th of July, 1782, the supreme executive council "ordered that a 
special commission of oyer and terminer and general jail delivery, directed to 
the Honorable Christopher Hays and Dorsey Pentecost, Esquires, and 
Edward Cook, Esquire, be now issued to the counties of Westmoreland and 
Washington for the trial of divers persons now confined in the jails of the 
said counties charged with high crimes and misdemeanors." (See Appendix 
M, — Hays and Cook to Irvine, Dec. 25, 1782.) Col. Cook was one of the com- 
missioners who laid out the present county-seat of Fayette county. He was 
appointed one of the justices of his county vpith jurisdiction (along with John 
Hoge, Thomas Scott and William Walter) including Washington county, on 
the 21st of November, 1786. He was made presiding judge of the Fayette 
common pleas, April 8, 1789. On the 7th of August, 1791, he became asso- 
ciate judge of Fayette under the new constitution. He was a man of influ- 
ence, and during the excise troubles in 1794 was chosen chairman of the 
Mingo creek meeting, and was largely instrumental in allaying the excite- 
ment, and thus virtually ending the so-called Whisky Insurrection. He died 
November 28th, 1808. His wife vras Martha Crawford of Cumberland, now 
Franklin county, sister of Col. Josiah Crawford. She was married to 
Edward Cook in 1770. She died in 1837, aged ninety-four years, in the old 
stone house, into which they moved, as she always said, in " Independence 
Year." It stands about two miles northeast of Fayette City, formerly Cooks- 
town. Colonel Cook had but one child, James Crawford Cook, who was born 
in 1772, and died in 1848. 

' Gibson exercised the authority conferred upon him by Irvine in making a 
requisition upon the lieutenant of Westmoreland for a number of militia to 
protect the frontier of that county. This was made necessary because of 
threatened marauds of the savages. Sixty were ordered out for one month's 
tour of duty, and stationed on the frontiers of Westmoreland. 

'^This was a circular letter, a like one having been sent to Col. James 
Marshel, lieutenant of Washington county. (Ante, p. 84, note 2 ; also, p. 282, 
notel.) 



Appendix K. 3^3 



II. — Ikvine to Cook. 

FoET FiTT, March 28, 1782. 

Sir: — You are already acquainted with the resolution of 
congress and orders of the president and council of Fenn- 
sjlvania respecting ray command in this quarter;^ in addi- 
tion to which, I have received instructions from his excellency, 
General Washington."^ 

As making arrangements to cover and protect the country 
IS the main object; and [as] it is to be done by a combination 
of regulars and militia, the business will be complicated; and 
[as there will be] a diversity of interests, I think it of the ut- 
most importance that whatever plan may be adopted [it] 
should be as generally understood as the nature of the service 
will admit. You will conceive that, on this occasion, I shall 
stand in need of the counsel and assistance of some of the 
principal people of the country. I wish, therefore, to see you 
and at least one field officer of every battalion in your county, 
for which purpose, I request you will be pleased to warn such 
as you may think proper to attend at this post on Friday, the 
5th of April next; punctually to the day will be necessary, as 
I have written to Colonel Marshel and others in Washington 
county also, to attend on that day.^ 



III. — Cook to Ievine. 

April 8, 1782. 
Sir: — I must request you to furnish those militia with 
arms, such of them as want that article, likewise ammunition. 
It will be necessary to send those to Carnahan's block house, 
in order to scout toward Ligonier, etc., where I expect they 
will be joined by a draft from the north side of the Youghio- 
gheny. 

Your honor will be pleased to give him [the bearer, Sergeant 

' Ante, p. 72, note 1; also, p. 279, note 3. 
^ See Washington to Irvine, p. 94. 
^Ante, p. 104 and note; also, p. 284. 



S^lf. Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

John Ashcraft] the necessary instructions. I have not had 
time to order out the field officers to the conference agree- 
able to your request.^ 

lY. — Cook to Irvine. 

At My Houss/ Ajwil 18, 1782. 
Sir: — Last Thursday, the draft from the battalion in which 
I live (being the second) set out for their place of rendezvous 
at widow Myres'. They consist of about fifty men. I cannot 
tell whether the other company at Carnahan's block house is 
complete, but I have ordered Captain [Joseph] Beckett, who 
commands this draft, to detach from his so as to make them 
complete. I have instructed him in the mode of defense 
ao-reeable to the arransjement.' I furnished them with ammu- 
nition and expect they will obtain arms from those they relieve 
sufficient to equip them. Captain Beckett will take the first 
opportunity to give you a return of those under his command. 
I was not at home when the drafts from the fourth or upper 
battalion went along, being at court. I left orders for them 
to proceed to Carnahan's block house. Colonel [John] Pura- 
roy of the first battalion [of Westmoreland county militia] is 
near Hannastown. I have sent orders to him to superintend 
the draft this month. 



Y. — Cook to Irvine. 

May 26, 1782. 
Sir: — I have received two letters from you since I have had 
the opportunity of answering. 

I wrote to Colonel Pumroy, as I mentioned in my last, to 
take the command agreeable to the arrangement, which he has 
not attended to. Colonel [Charles] Campbell [sub-lieutenant 

' See the letter of Irvine next preceding. 

^ About two miles northeast of the present Fayette City, Fayette county, Pa. 
It is still standing (ante, p. 321, note 2, last paragraph). 

^From this, it will be seen, that Col. Cook had been informed of the 
arrangements agreed upon at the meeting at Fort Pitt, April 5th. 



Appendix K. 325 

of Westmoreland county] wrote me that Pumroy would attend 
this month, and I understand he has not. In short, it appears 
that ev^ery thing is done by those people that they think will 
promote confusion and disorder, I never can hear that one 
man is gone from that quarter to the defense of the frontier. 
Those that were drafted for the defense this month have chiefly 
turned out volunteers on this [Crawford's] expedition [against 
Sandusky] and that is the reason why so few are from this 
quarter, which is the only part that has done any thing. 

I have endeavored to do every thing in my power, and can 
get so little done to any purpose that ray quiet and peace are 
so destroyed that life, in some measure, is burthen some. I 
have ordered Colonel [Benjamin] Davis [of the second battal- 
ion of Westmoreland militia] now to the frontier for what 
remains of this month and have ordered a few men more to 
re-enforce Captain [Thomas] Moore. Eight men are gone. I 
hope after this month there shall be less cause of complaint. 

P. S. — Before I was done writing, Ensign Cooper came in 
and informs me that Pumroy has attended, but has not waited 
upon you nor made any report; upon which I have written to 
him and countermanded the order to Davis. Many thanks for 
your care about the fine. 



YI. — Cook to Irvine. 

At My House, May 29, 1782. 

Sir: — There seems to be a general outcry against the pay- 
ment of taxes over the whole country. The plea that is made 
use of against it is that there is not specie in the country suf- 
ficient to discharge the sura demanded; but if assurances could 
be given that Mr. Morris would take specific articles, such as 
provisions, etc., it is thought that it would ease the minds of 
the people and produce salutary effects. If it was in your 
power by circulars letter or by some means to give encourage- 
ment respecting that raode of discharging the tax, it is thought 
it would be of signal service. 

At the request of some gentlemen, I have written to you; as 



3^6 Washingtotir-Ii'vine Correspondence. 

it is feared that the opposition will be so great that the matter 
cannot be effected; which will be a sensible injury to the public 
in general. If there is a.ny other eligible mode, I would be 
glad to have the general's sentiments on the subject.^ 



YII. — Cook to Irvine. 

May 30, 1Y82. 
Sir: — There is a certain Benjamin Dye and a certain Henry 
Foster that are delinquents in the militia. Their fines are five 
pounds five shillings each. "We are lately informed the price 
of common labor is rated at three shillings six pence by the 
assembly, which brings the fines to that sum. 

P. S. — I am told it is a French boat those persons are gone 
or going with. 



YIII. — Cook to Irvine. 

June 10, 1782. 
Dear Sir: — We are much distressed on account of the want 
of a few arms towards arming the guard for running the line. 
I am under the necessity of making or rather renewing the 
application on that score. If it is in your power to send only 
ten it will be a great help, and I will pledge my word for the 
delivery of them to your post again as soon as the guard re- 
turns.^ I have thought that if you should think it advisable 
to send a few active officers and a few privates of the regular 
troops it would give a kind of sanction and weight to the 
matter.* 

'Gen. Irvine had already corresponded with Mr. Morris concerning this 
matter (ante, pp. 204-207) so far as Washington county was concerned. 

* Two days after the appointment of Alexander McClean, by Pennsylvania, 
as commissioner on part of that state to run the temporary boundary line, the 
lieutenant of Westmoreland county was authorized to furnish such number of 
militia of his county, as might be wanted as guards to the surveyors. Over 
one hundred were drafted but arms were wanting. For a supply — ten, if no 
more — Cook writes as above. 

^ Irvine declined sending any continentals upon that service for good reasons 
(ante, p. 248). The same request was afterward made by Marshel (see p. 293), 
who met with a like refusal. 



Appendix K. 327 



Colonels [Christopher] Hays and [Benjamin] Davis are gone 
on and intend delaying a few days at the mouth o£ George's 
creek thinking that the opposition may perhaps scatter or sub- 
side; for we are well assured of an opposition by the inhabit- 
ants, who apprehend the running of the line will be a prelude 
to the taxes, which they have a most sovereign aversion to;^ — 
at all events, if possible, send a few arms. 

I have sent the copy of the two letters from Mr. Morris to 
Colonel McClean and expect they will be of service, and that 
he will make a good use of them. I will take care to have 

Mr. 's conduct inquired into.^ This is not the first 

offense. I understand tliey are holding meetings in Wash- 
ington county lately about a new state, which shows this is a 
most distracted country. 



IX. — Cook to Ievine. 

June 24, 1782. 
Dear Sir: — la my last, I mentioned something of the 
anxiety of the people in general for another expedition. By the 
bearer hereof [Benjamin Harrison],^ you will learn something 
of the truth of what has been asserted.'* But it seems to be 
the general opinion that it will not do without General Irvine 
takes the command with what regulars can be spared. Indeed, 
it is wished that the whole could go, and garrison the posts 
with militia [that is, let the militia garrison the posts, while 
the regulars go upon the expedition]. 

* The reason for opposition to the runninof of the line on part of those who 
lived in the vicinity is thus made plain. When this letter was written, Cook 
did not know that the enterprise had been abandoned by McClean for the 
time; indeed, it was given up on the very day of his writing (June lOfch), 

^ Concerning the man whose name is left blank at this point, Irvine, on the 
back of the above letter, wrote: " , an attorney of Virginia, for- 
merly an active partisan, if not disaffected, as well as ." The last 

blank is filled with the name of the leader of the new state scheme (ante, 
pp. 109, 244). 

^Then, or soon after, colonel of the 4th battalion Westmoreland county 
militia. 

* Referring to proposals from some gentlemen of Westmoreland, to " carry" 
an expedition against Sandusky. (See next letter.) 



3^8 Washington-Irvine Conrespondence. 

If the general was to make a demand of the number of 
militia necessary, it is not doubted but they will be furnished, 
together with provisions and transportation for the regular 
troops. I have written this without waiting for an answer to 
my last as Captain [Benjamin] Harrison, in behalf of the 
people in his quarter, has requested me to write by him. 

P. S. — It is also talked of that they will put themselves 
under the command of the continental officers so as to fill up 
the two regiments under your command. 



X. — Irvine to Cook. 

Fort Pitt, June 26, 1782. 

^4>; — Since my last by Mr. McClean, Captain Harrison 
arrived with your favor of the 24th, and other papers, pro- 
posals from some gentlemen in your quarter for carrying an 
expedition.^ These people seem so much in earnest that I am 
led to think if other parts of the country are so spirited and 
patriotic something may probably be done; but as it will take 
some time to come to a proper knowledge of this matter, and 
that must be accurately done, there can be no harm in making 
the experiment. Captain Harrison proposes having a sub- 
scription taken from all the companies in your county similar 
to that he handed me from Captains Beall and Moore. If 
this was done and the whole transmitted to me, I would soon 
be able to determine whether it would be worth while to give 
the people the trouble of calling them together; — these, I sup- 
pose, may be obtained by the twentieth of July. If found 
sufficient to warrant an assembly, then the first of August 
would be as soon as they could well be got together. 

I have no intimation of any system being on foot in "Wash- 
ington county for this purpose. It is said the people wish an 
expedition; but I am rather doubtful [of its accomplishment, 
as] they expect it done in a regular channel, namely: to be 
called out by law; then they will of course expect to be fur- 

' See Appendix M, — Robert Beall and Thomas Moore to Irvine, June 23, 
1782. 



Appendix K. 329 

nished with all necessaries by the public. This is a business I 
have no authority for; nor could I promise positively to pay 
for a single pack-horse, until I receive instructions for that 
purpose from congress or the commander-in-chief; my present 
orders being to act on the defensive only. If, nevertheless, 
when the season is so far advanced (as I believe I mentioned 
in my last) that I shall not have a right to expect any regular 
effective force to carry offensive measures on a larger scale, I 
would, in that case, look on it justifiable for me to join with 
the people of the country, in making excursions into the 
enemy's country, particularly when they are so spirited as to 
propose doing it at their own personal risk and expense.^ 



XI. — Cook to Irvine. 

At My House, Angust 9, 1782. 

Sir: — We have hired five spies who are now out, who are 
to reconnoiter from Fort Crawford to the Kittanning, agreeable 
to what was proposed when with you. They are ordered to 
correspond with those you may send. They are to make the 
figure of the day of the month upon a tree in order to ascer- 
tain their meeting or appointing places, and leave a line under 
a stone at the root of the tree importing tlie nature of the 
discovery if they have made any. 

I have had a meeting of the field officers and other principal 
inhabitants upon the subject of the expedition.^ The plan 
agreed upon I will lay before the gentlemen who are to meet 

> Ante, pp. 123, 175, 303. 

^The following is a copy of the proceedings: 

" At a meeting of the field officers and other respectable inhabitants of the 
county of Westmoreland at the house of Colonel Edward Cook, on Thursday, 
the eighth day of August, 1782, to consult on a plan for an expedition against 
the Sandusky Indian nations bordering on our frontier, — Colonel Christopher 
Hays, Esq., Colonel Alexander McClean, Colonel Benjamin Harrison, Captain 
Hezekiah McGruder, and Charles Foreman, Esq., were appointed a com- 
mittee to form a plan for that purpose. 

"1st. Besolved, That each battalion of the militia of Westmoreland 
county shall furnish their quota of men, provisions and horses, equipped 



330 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

at Catfish Camp [now AYasliington, Washington county] the 
15th instant. It is thought we cannot complete our plan be- 
fore the 20 til instant, so as to make returns.^ 

for transportation, hereunto annexed to each and every battalion respectively, 

namely : 

Men. Rations. Horses. 

The 1st Battalion Col. John Pumroy 61 4,117 30 

" 2d " Col. Benj. Davis 176 11,800 88 

" 3rd " Col. Geo. Beard 122 8,235 61 

" 4th " Col. Benj. Harrison 123 8,302 61 

" 5th " Col. Theophilus Phillips 119 8,032 59 

*' The said provision, etc., to be deposited at such time and place in each and 
every battalion as the commanding officer shall appoint. 

" 2dly. Resolved, That the commanding officer of each and every battalion 
do exempt the militia from one month's service and each and every man that 
shall furnish and equip one horse sufficient for the said service at the time and 
place appointed for depositing said provisions. 

" Provided always that the said expedition proceeds on or is carried into exe- 
cution. And every horse so as aforesaid entered be adjudged and appraised 
by two indifferently chosen by each company of said battalion respectively. 

"3rd. Resolved, That in case any of the said horses so as aforesaid entered 
and equipped, adjudged and appraised and proceeding on said expedition, be 
lost in said service, the lieutenant and sub-lieutenants of the county together 
with the members of this committee in conjunction with those whose names 
are hereunto annexed, do pledge themselves, their fortunes and honors for the 
payment of the said horses agreeable to the said appraisements. [Signed] Ed- 
ward Cook, Alexander McCIean, Benj. Davis, Christopher Hays, Charles 
Foreman, Nehemiah Stokely, Benj. Harrison, Hez. McGruder, Zadock Sprin- 
ger, Samuel Wilson, John Hughes, Thomas Warring, PadenCook, Theophilus 
Pnillips, Andrew Sinn." • " 

' Tlie following order issued to Lieut. Richard Johnson, the day previous to 
the writing of the above letter, exhibits Cook's watchful care over the north- 
ern settlements of his county: 

"At My House, August 8, 1782. 

"5'(>; — You are to proceed with the militia under your command to Myres' 
Station where you will receive arms and ammunition either there or by apply- 
ing either through the field officer or in person to the general. You will have 
to detach a few men to Reyburn's, Waltour's and Fort Barr. I cannot in- 
form you of the number necessary to each. You will be directed by the 
strength of your party or the number you can spare; and in this matter you 
will consult the fitjld officer who superintends the different stations. I am, 
sir, your most obedient servant, Edward Cook." 



Appendix K. 331 



XII. — Cook to Irvine. 

August 27, 1782. 

Sir: — I thought to have been able to inform you something 
particular about the intended expedition. I am yet in the 
dark about it. I have had no return from the north side of 
Youghiogheny as yet; although I am of opinion that this 
county would furnish near five hundred men with provision 
and horses equivalent; that is, from what I have been able to 
learn, although I am obliged to build something on conjec- 
ture. Colonel Harrison is on his way to Colonel Marshel 
in order to investigate the state of matters there and will call 
upon you on his return. 

P. S. — Sir : After I had sealed this letter I recollected this 
from Colonel [Charles] Campbell respecting spies he says he 
has hired, desiring me to acquaint you with them,^ September 
2, 1782. 



XIII. — Irvine to Cook. 

[circular.] 

[N"o date.] 2 
The negro man who came in from the Shawanese town 
arrived at the Mingo bottom [on the east side of the Ohio], 
the 7th Aug., and was fifteen days on the way. 

' The letter here referred to was as follows : 

"August 27, 1782. 

"Sir: — A return of Captain Hugh Martin's and Captain John McClel- 
land's volunteers to go on the campaign and horses and rations: men, twenty- 
eight; rations, nineteen hundred and eight; horses, ten. Sir, these are all 
the returns that were made to me of this battalion. Tou will inform the gen- 
eral [Irvine] that I have hired six spies that keep a constant scouting from the 
Laurel Hill to Wasson's place on Crooked creek; and if he would order it so 
that the spies who go up the Alleghany and they, were to meet, he could have 
constant intelligence if any party of Indians would come in any part to strike 
the inhabitants. I am, sir, your humble servant, 

"Cha's Campbell. 

"To Colonel Edward Cook." 

2 Written about September 1, 1782. 



332 Washington- Irvine Correspondence. 

He M'as examined minutely by me. The interesting and 
material parts of the intelligence he brings are as follow: 

That last winter Capt. [Alexander] McKeeMvas busy ar- 
ranging matters with the Indians to come against Fort Pitt in 
the spring ; but, in February, two deserters arrived at the 
[Shawanese] towns from Gen. Clark, who gave the information 
that Fort Pitt was put into such a state of defense as would 
render the reduction of it uncertain; but that the Falls [Louis- 
ville] were weak, and could easily be reduced. On this report, 
they changed their ground and determined to go against the 
Falls and continued in this mind till after Colonel Crawford's 
expedition. They then changed their ground once more and 
determined to reduce Wheeling. Mr. McKee actually marched 
for that purpose from the [Shawanese] towns [in what is now 
Logan county, Ohio] with one hundred rangers (British) as 
they are called [Capt. Caldwell's company], and about three 
hundred Indians."^ A day or two after his departure runners 
came in who gave the information that Gen. Clark was ap- 
proaching with a train of artillery and a large body of troops. 

The alarm was universally given and expresses sent after 
McKee, who returned to the town [Wapatomica]. Li the 
mean time Blue Jacket, the Shawanese chief, went himself to 
reconnoiter Gen. Clark. He returned in six days with a con- 
firmation of the first report; on which McKee marched with 
every soul that could be collected; the negro thinks, in all 
about one thousand, but is of opinion that not more than one- 

' Alexander McKee was a native of Pensylvania and early became a trader 
among the Indians, carrying on a large business from Pittsburgh in conjunc- 
tion with Alexander Ross, from 1768 to 1772, when he became Sir William 
Johnson's deputy Indian agent, resident at that place. He was, upon the 
erection of Bedford county, made one of its justices; and, upon the creation 
of Westmoreland, his commission was extended for that county. Upon the 
breaking out of the revolution, be was suspected of tory proclivities and was 
put upon his parole; which was afterward renewed. Finally, in the spring 
of 1778, he fled (along with Matthew Elliott, Simon Girty and others) to the 
enemy, reaching Detroit at length, where he was continued in the Indian de- 
partment. He had his headquarters, at date of the negro's leaving the Indian 
country, among the Shawanese. 

- That McKee after Crawford's defeat left Lower Sandusky for the Shawa- 
nese towns is certain. 



Appendix K. 333 

half of that number were active, real warriors; as there was a 
great number of boys, old men, and even women who marched. 

Upon the whole he does not think more than seven hundred 
were fit to bear arms, in which number he includes the hun- 
dred English [Caldwell's company]. The [Shawanese] towns 
were quite evacuated except a few women and children and 
some prisoners. These were busily employed in packing up 
their effects to push towards Detroit, in case Gen. Clark should 
beat their warriors," of which they were exceedingly appre- 
hensive. They were determined, however, to meet and tight 
him near the town [Piqua, ou Mad river, six miles below 
the present Springfield, O.] he drove them from, two years 
ago, about forty miles from where they now live. 

The tribes assembled on this occasion were the Shawanese, 
Delawares, Wyandots, Mingoes, Monseys, Ottawas and Chip- 
pewas, which include the whole on this side the Lake [Erie]. 
He adds that every man was there who was able to crawl. 
Before McKee returned [from his short march towards Wheel- 
ing] he detached forty warriors with two Frenchmen, with 
orders to watch our frontiers and give intelligence of our 
movements, particularly if an expedition was " carrying on 
their backs," as he termed it.'^ 

From a variety of circumstances I am led to give credit to 
the negro's account, particularly his mode of escape and his 
having lived two years with Blue Jacket, as much in the char- 
acter of a steward or manager as a servant; besides, the fellow 
tells a plain, connected history. As I apprehended a circula- 
tion of this account through the country may be both satis- 
factory and useful, I have troubled you with it. If you are 
of this opinion, you will please to let it be as generally known 
as possible. 

^ After the negro left, the enemy successfully invaded Kentucky and gained 
the battle of the Blue Licks, in Augast. In September, the expedition 
against Wheeling was renewed (Zane to Irvine, September 17, 1782, Appen- 
dix M), but it availed them little. Gen. Clark met the enemy, finally, at 
what is now Piqua, Miami county, Ohio, on the 10th of November, 1782, sur- 
prising and routing them. (See Clark to Irvine, November 13, 1782, Appen- 
dix M.) 



33^ Washington-Tt'vi7ie Corresjyondence. 

P. S. — Mr. Slover was present when I examined the negro; 
he says he lived in the family with him at the town [Wapatom- 
ica] and thinks he may be depended on.^ 



Xiy. — Cook to Irvine. 

Septemher 3, 1782. 

Si7\' — I herewith send yon as accnrate a return as I believe 
can be made.'^ I have struck off some that were actually 
returned, to make an allowance for lee- way; and if I can 
depend upon the returns made to me, which I think there is 
not the least doubt, you may rely on this. I have col- 
lected the returns of the second battalion from the captains 
myself; and inclosed you have two of the colonels' returns, 
which will show you how much I have allowed for lee- way, I 
have no return from the third battalion, but I have received a let- 
ter declaring their quota completed. I have allowed him [the 
colonel of said battalion] for lee- way fifteen men and ten horses. 

I have hereby showed you how I have formed my judgment 
of the matter. I have also sent to the different battalions 
and have let them know that they may expect the rendezvous 
will be about the 15th instant, but that they shall hear from 
me when it is absolutely appointed or set. 



XY. — Cook to Ikvine. 

September 9, 1782. 
Sir: — I received yours dated this day, and will take every 
effectual measure in ray power to have the militia assembled by 
the day appointed. There is a number of them speaking to 
me to enquire of the general if he can furnish them pistols, 
swords and carbines suitable for light horse or cavalry. I have 
been importuned to mention it, and you may take what notice 
you think proper of it. 

' I have been able to verify almost all the particulars of this interesting and 
very valuable account of the transactions of the enemy in the Indian country 
during the first half of the year 1782. The negro's recital was singularly 
truthful and clear. 

* " Return " not found. 



Appendix K. 335 



XYI. — Cook to Irvine. 

Sepemler 19, 1782. 
Sir: — I received yours by express. Those I have seen of 
the volunteers promise to hold themselves in readiness by the 
time appointed to march again. And, for further encourage- 
ment, I liave promised them a tour of duty for the disappoint- 
ment; with which they seem well satisfied. I have sent out 
people and taken every opportunity to give them notice re- 
specting your order. I think there will not be that tardiness 
which appears now, when the day is appointed again; as they 
will have their provisions, etc., in a collective situation. 



XYII. — Ikvine to Cook. 

Fort Pitt, October 10, 1782. 
Sir: — Sundry uncertain accounts have arrived here pur- 
porting that the regular troops are countermanded, and that a 
cessation of arms has taken place, — particularly that the In- 
dians are to be restrained from committing depredations, and 
much more, which, as I have no official accounts, I can give 
no credit to. But as some circumstances favor these reports, 
and it is also said David Tate has dispatches for me on the 
subject, in order to gain as much time as possible [and to save 
the militia the trouble of assembling again if unnecessary],^ I 
have sent Major Rose,^ my aid-de-camp, to try to meet him, 
and with directions to communicate to you as much of the 
contents as may be necessary for your information and govern- 
ment. You will, therefore, please on this occasion to give full 
credit to whatever directions he may give in the matter as 
if coming from me.^ 

* These words in brackets, in another copy of the same letter, are omitted. 
2 See p. 261, note. 

* This letter was addressed, — "To Colonel Cook or Colonel Marshel, lieu- 
tenants of Westmoreland and Washington counties." 



336 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 



XYIII. — Cook to Irvine. 

At My House, Octoher 11 (3 o'clocls), 1782. 

Sir: — I am under great difSculties occasioned by reports 
that Captain Brady has given out at Ilannastown respecting a 
cessation of arms, and the regulars who were coming being 
stopped. It has spread over the whole country and produced 
a general stagnation with respect to the expedition. There is 
also a copy of a letter written by General Potter to Joseph 
Brady, horsemaster general, desiring him to retire, there being 
no further call for him on account of a manifesto published by 
Carlton, etc. 

The account from Hannastown circulated by Captain Brady 
came so well authenticated that I have waited this whole day 
for a letter from yon. I was out yesterday and bought seven 
beeves ^ and appointed a number of people to drive these cattle 
up by to-day. . . . To-morrow, I think at all events to go 
on the business again. 1 have three coopers at work making 
kegs; but if these reports are groundless you will please to 
write me pretty fully on the subject, as I will have to send 
over the wliole again; for the reports have done much hurt. I 
have heard of Captain Brady's returning to you, and having 
heard no account, I begin to conclude it must be false. It is 

' The following is the account receipted, for these cattle : 
*' Brigadier General Irvine, 

"In account with Colonel Edward (Jook, Dr. 
" For beef cattle purchased by his request for the expedition, namely: 

£. S. P. 

One beef cow cost, purchased of Wm. Reed 7. 0. 0. 

" steer from William Walker 6. 10. 0. 

" small do. from James Sterret 3. 0. 0. 

Two cows from Conrad 11. 0. 0. 

One bull from Paul Shower 4. 0. 0. 

Thirty-six kegs bought from sundry persons 3. 12. 0. 

One cow from Ethan Ellis 5. 10. 0. 

40. 12. 0. 

" Received the amount of the above account the 26th of October, 1782. 

" Edw. Cook." 



Apjyendix K. 337 

asserted to me beyond a doubt that the regular troops destined 
here are turned back. I am very impatient to hear from yon, 
P. S. — I wrote a hasty line to Mr. Eeed about horses and 
referred him to you. I expected to have had an answer from 
him before now. I see no prospect of getting horses here 
other than those already engaged by the volunteers. Captain 
Lynn, whom we were speaking about, is gone down the 
country.^ 

'This letter was met by Colonel John Gibson, one of the " ofiGcer express " 
sent out to see what caused the delay in the coming up of the regulars who 
were expected for the Sandusky expedition. The letter was opened by him, 
and upon it he wrote : 

" Saturday, 12 o'clock. 

*' I took the liberty of reading the letter and shall proceed on, having 
learned nothing further than what is contained in it. I am, dear sir, with 
respect. Jno. Gibson, Col." 

The following letter contains information concerning the subject written 
about by Cook to Irvine above : 

"Union Town, October 10, 1782. 

" Dear Sir: — I have been waiting your orders these several days last past, 
and when come to hand I know not what to do. However, I will always act 
in duty as far as able. I have this morning seen a copy of a letter from Gen- 
eral Potter to General Brady of the horsemaster department, acquainting him 
that General Carleton had issued a manifesto that the savages should no 
longer harass our frontiers; on which General Potter requested General 
Brady to retu-e, as his assistance will not be wanting. However that may be, 
I know not. The copy was certified by Parson Mitchell ; and the bearer said 
he saw the original. Yet I could wish the expedition to proceed, as I am of 
opinion it is the only season to distress the savage nations. 

" One of the gentlemen you mention to be applied to for assistance will be 
in town to-day. I shall make my address to him agreeably to your request, 
and doubt not of his ready assistance. Colonel Morgan I mean ; who has ever 
shown himself ready on such occasions, and whose influence is great in his 
own country. 

" For the particulars of the letter from General Potter, I refer you to the ex- 
press, who heard it read. If it be possible I shall attend the first of Novem- 
ber, agreeable to your request, to hear what they have to say. I am, sir, with 
sincere regard, your very humble servant, Alexander McClean. 

"Colonel Edward Cook." 
22 



338 Wasliington-Irvine C orres_pondence. 



XIX. — Irvine to Cook. 

Fort Pitt, October 18, 1782. 

Sir: — I received your letter by Sergeant Porter, and one 
last niglit from Colonel Marshel, which is fall of despondency. 
Indeed, by all the accounts I can collect it would be vain to 
insist on bringing the few willing people to the general ren- 
dezvous, as there is not the most distant prospect that half 
sufficient would assemble. Under these circumstances, I think 
it would be most advisable to give up the matter at once and 
direct the provision etc. to be restored to the owners. 

It is with the utmost reluctance I can prevail on myself to 
give up the point, but find there is no alternative; for if even 
the regular troops should yet come, I do not think enough of 
volunteers would turn out to join them. "Would it not how- 
ever be well to advise people generally to salt as much meat as 
possible this winter. If the war continues there is little doubt 
but they will get a good price for it in the spring; and if it 
should be peace, vast numbers of people will come into and 
travel through this country; so that there is no danger of a 
good [bad] market whatever happens. 

I suppose the beeves you have purchased will not lose any 
thing for some weeks in pasture. As soon as you think there 
is danger of that, I beg you will be so good as to hire some 
person to drive them down here; charge the hire in the beef 
account; and as to the kegs, if they cannot be disposed of, you 
will please to direct them to be stored and branded. 



XX. — Cook to Irvine. 

October 19, 1T82. 
Dear Sir: — Yours of the 18th inst. by Sergeant Porter [is 
received]. I shall only mention for the present that Colonel 
[Christopher] Hays and myself mean to see you about Friday 
next. 



Appendix K. 339 



XXI. — Cook to Irvine. 

At the :NrEw TowN,^ October 30, 1782. 

Sir: — Inclosed you have an advertisement respecting tlie 
new state.^ I hear of a great many more going to improve 
lands on the north of the Ohio.^ It is a matter of speculation 
among some gentlemen learned in the law whether those im- 
provements may not make a title, or rather lay the foundation 
for one; as there is no express law prohibiting the settlement, 
and no retrospect laws can be made. If it be so, I think your 
officers and soldiers ought to go and mark by thousands; as 
the only way to fight a rascal is by his own weapons. 

I would beg leave to repeat the request about the two ma- 
sons. I have tried all I can to get them in the country but to 
no effect. Some time next week would answer. 



XXII. — Cook to Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen Bayard.* 

Hannastown, Maij 15, 1783. 
Sir: — If it were possible to let the ranging company have 
eight pounds powder and sixteen pounds of lead, as they are 
entirely out of ammunition, it would be of great service, as it 
is not known what the danger may be, 

' Laid oat by Col. Cook and by him named Freeport. The name was sub- 
sequently changed to Cookstown, in honor of its proprietor; and again, by 
act of incorporation, to Fayette City. It is fourteen miles below Brownsville, 
on the Monongahela, in Fayette county. It was not settled for twelve years 
after the date of this letter. 

^ Beyond the Ohio, in the Indian country, in what is now the state of Ohio. 

^Within the limits of Pennsylvania. 

* Bayard was then in command at Fort Pitt. This was just before Irvine's 
return from Carlisle, upon his second visit. 



APPENDIX L. 



IRVINE TO HIS WIFE. 



I. 

Fort Pitt, Noveiiiber 14, 1T81. 

My Dearest Love: — I wrote you by one Reed the other 
day, just informing you of my arrival here. You can easily 
conceive of my anxiety to hear from you. I hope some per- 
son will come up soon that will bring some account from you. 
We had some extreme bad weather on the mountain, yet I 
never felt less fatigued nor injured by a journey in my life. 

It is truly distressing to see how this country is laid waste, 
and more so to hear the lamentations of widows for tlieir mur- 
dered husbands and children and the husband for his wife and 
children.^ The wagons arrived this day only, and we will go 
to house-keeping to-morrow. We have hitherto been at lodg- 
ings. Colonel Gibson talks of sending an Ohio pike, by way 
of curiosity, for you and Mrs. Callender to dine on. I would 
send some venison, but fear it would not keep — of which and 
wild turkey, we have great plenty. I have not now time to 
write Mrs. Callender, but mean to do so by an express about a 
week hence. 

Colonel Brodhead, Bayard, and other officers, will leave this 
[post] in a week.^ Every thing is perfectly quiet in this quar- 
ter, though not so down at Kentucky, where, it is said, the 
Indians are troublesome. 

' By this it will be seen that the horrors of the western border war, con- 
ducted as it was, on the part of Great Britain, against men, women and 
children, at once made a deep impression upon the mind of General Irvine. 

'^ Colonel Daniel Brodhead, Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen Bayard and others 
left, though on what day is uncertain ; but Bayard returned to his command 
of the "detachment of the Pennsylvania line " at that post. 



Appendix L. 31^.1 



11. 

Fort Pitt, Deeemher 2, 1781. 

My Dearest Love: — I am still in a doubtful state about my 
dear little girl,^ never having heard any other account than 
what your letter contained by John Kerr ... I hope the 
pike got safe [to Carlisle]. We have great plenty of them — 
venison and turkey and other pretty good living. We even 
have a pack of hounds and go frequently a hunting. 

There is no appearance of Indians in this country at pres- 
ent, nor are the people under the smallest apprehension before 
April. 

III. 

Fort Pitt, December 29, 1781. 
My Dearest Love: — This day I expected my express, but 
there is, as yet, no account of him, but I hourly look for him. 
The bearer, Mr. Joseph Bull [Schebosh], is an elder of the 
Moravian Indian congregation, who, together with the minis- 
ters, converts, etc., had built a pretty town and made good 
improvements, and lived for some years past, quite in the 
style of christian white people; but were last fall taken pris- 
oners by a party of Indians commanded by that infamous ras- 
cal. Matt. Elliott,^ and carried away, to the number of one 

' Anne, the youngest child. There were then but two children in the 
family. The eldest was a son — Callender, afterward father of Dr. Wm. A. 
Irvine, now of Irvine, Warren county, Penn. The children born subsequently, 
were William N., Armstrong, Elizabeth, Mary B., and a daughter who died 
in infancy; also, Rebecca, James and John W. : in all, ten. 

^ Matthew Elliot was an Irishman by birth. He had foi-merly resided in 
Pennsylvania, east of the Alleghany mountains, and early engaged in the 
Indian trade, headquarters at Fort Pitt. He was thus employed when hostil- 
ities began in 1774, between the Virginians and the Mingoes and Shawanese. 
He remained in the Indian country until after the battle of Point Pleasant 
and the marching of Lord Dunmore to the Scioto river, protected by the sav- 
ages. He was, in fact, their messenger, — sent by the Shawanese asking 
terms of peace with the Virginian governor. After the ending of " Lord 
Dunmore's War," he again traded from Fort Pitt, with the Indians, beyond 
the Ohio. 



3Ji^ Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

hundred families from their fine farms, into the wilderness, 
where they are starving.^ Mr. Bull is going down to Bethle- 
hem to represent the sufferings of his people to the society of 
the Moravians.^ I wish I could appoint a day to be with you, 
but that is impossible. 

On the 12th of November, 1776, he made his appearance in one of the 
missiohiiry establishments of the Moravians upon the Tuscarawas river, 
with a number of horse-loads of merchandise, also a female Indian com- 
panion, and a hired man, on his way to the Shawanese towns upon the Scioto. 
He left the next day, but was followed by a party of six warriors from San- 
dusky and made prisoner, his goods being distributed among the Indians. 
He was taken to Detroit, where he succeeded in convincing the commandant 
of that post of his tory proclivities; was given a commission as captain and 
sent back to Pittsburgh as a spy. Here he remained some time, poisoning 
the minds of such as would listen to his seductive words ; and, subsequently, 
in company with Alexander McKee and Simon Girty, fled from Pittsburgh ; 
making his way to the Delawares first; then, to the Shawanese ; and, finally, 
to Sandusky and Detroit. This was in the spring of 1778. In August of 
that year, he was attainted of high treason by Pennsylvania. 

As an officer in the British Indian depai-tment at Detroit, he served during 
the revolution, vibrating between that post and the country of the Ohio 
Indians. 

^ This is an account of the breaking up of the Moravian mission upon the 
Tuscarawas about the 1st of September, 1781, by a party of Indians from 
the Sandusky river, where the missionaries and their families were carried 
together with the Moravian Indians. These finally located in October of that 
year, it will be remembered, at a point a little over two miles south of the 
present county-seat of Wyandot county, Ohio, but on the opposite (east side) 
of the stream, where they prepared to spend the winter. (Ante, pp. 59, 60.) 
They were, however, in a starving condition. 

^A number of Moravian Indians, led by Mr. Bull, were, because of the 
scarcity of provisions upon the Sandusky, permitted by the Wyandots, during 
the latter part of October, 1782, to return to the valley of the Tuscarawas, to 
gather some of the corn left standing in the fields by the missionaries and 
their Indians. After Mr. Bull and his party arrived in the valley, they set to 
work harvesting the crop; finally, all, except five of their number and their 
leader, after some hard labor, started back with about four hundred bushels 
of corn, reaching the Sandusky in safety. Not so the six who remained be- 
hind. A small pai-ty pursuing some hostile savages who had been raiding 
into the settlements, followed the tracks of the latter to the Tuscarawas, 
where, at New Schcenbrunn, Mr. Bull and his five " Moravians " were found 
and captured. " The generous and humane officer " commanding those in 
pursuit of the marauding Indians, " on finding that they [Mr. Bull and his 
five ' Moravians '] were not of the enemy," took them back with him. 



Appendix L. SJ^S 



lY. 

Fort Pitt, April 12, 1782. 

My Dearest Love: — I received your two letters by Captain 
[Major Isaac] Craig and Mr. Hughes; I am, therefore, in ar- 
rears in the letter way; but the fault is not in me, being [as I 
am] extremely anxious to inform you of my arrival here, but 
I have not had a single opportunity. I had very cold weather, 
though dry, and made a speedy march. I got up [here] the 
Monday [March 25, 1782] after I left you. One of my horses 
took lame and I was obliged to leave him about half way. 

Things were in a strange state when I arrived. A number 
of the country people had just returned from the Moravian 
towns, about one hundred miles distant, where, it is said, they 
did not spare eitlier age or sex. What was more extraordinary, 
they did it in cool blood, having deliberated three days, dur- 
ing which time they were industrious in collecting all hands 
into their churches (they had embraced Christianity), when 
they fell on them while they were singing hymns and killed 
the whole. Many children were killed in their wretched 
mothers' arms. Whether this was right or wrong, I do not 
pretend to determine. 

Things were still in greater confusion nearer home [mean- 
ing nearer Fort Pitt] ; for, on the morning [of March 24th] 
before my arrival here, a party of militia attacked some 
friendly Indians, who were not only under our protection but 
several actually had commissions in our service — at the very 

They afterward reached Fort Pitt, where Gen. Irvine set them at liberty; the 
"Moravians " being allowed to return to the Sandusky and Mr. Bull to 
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. 

The party that followed the trail of the retreating savages from the Ohio 
river to New Schoenbrunn, was under command of Capt. John Biggs. Mr. 
Bull and his fellow prisoners were first taken to Fort Henry; thence to 
Fort Pitt, where they were treated very kindly by General Irvine, and finally 
released, as just mentioned. (See Appendix M, — Seidel to Irvine, April 11, 
1782; and the answer of Irvine, May 8, following.) The regulars who were 
relieved by Lieut. John Hay, of the Washington county militia (ante, p. 280, 
note 3), guarded the six prisoners to Fort Pitt, during the first week in 
December. 



31^.11. 'Wasliington-lrmne Correspondence. 

nose of the garrison, on a small island in the river— of whom 
thej killed several,* and also made prisoners of a guard of 
continental troops, and sent Colonel Gibson a message that 
they would also scalp him. A thousand lies are propagated 
all over the country against him, poor fellow, I am informed. 
The whole is occasioned by his unhappy connection with a 
certain tribe, which leads people to imagine, for this reason, 
that he has an attachment to Indians in general. However 
false this reasoning may be, yet no reasoning will or can con- 
vince people to the contrary.^ 

People who have had fathers, mothers, brothers or children, 
butchered, tortured, scalped, by the savages, reason very dif- 
ferently on the subject of killing the Moravians [that is, the 
Moravian Indians], to what people who live in the interior 
part of the country in perfect safety do. Their feelings are 
very different.^ Whatever your private opinion of these mat- 
ters may be, I conjure you by all the ties of affection and as 
you value my reputation, that you will keep your mind to your- 
self, and that you will not express any sentiment for or against 
these deeds; — as it may be alleged, the sentiments you ex- 

' As this event occurred on the 24th of March and the return of WilHamson 
and his men from the Tuscarawas was considerable time before it is very 
plain that the two transactions had no connection whatever (ante, p. 102, 
note 1), a constant reiteration in western histories to the contrary notwith- 
standing. 

' The following extract is fi-om a deposition by John Sappington to be found 
in Jefferson's Notes (new ed., 1853), p. 268: 

" I was intimately acquainted with General [John] Gibson, and served un- 
der him during the late war, and I have a discharge from him now lying in 
the land office at Richmond, to which I i-efer any person for my character, who 
might be disposed to scruple my veracity. . . . I do not believe that Lo- 
gan had any relations killed, except his brother [at the killing of the Mingoes, 
June 30, 1774, at Baker's Bottom, opposite the mouth of Yellow creek]. 
Neither of the squaws who were killed was his wife. Two of them were old 
women, and the third with her child which was saved, I have the best reason 
in the world to believe was the wife and child of General Gibson. I know he 
educated the child and took care of it as if it had been his own." 

^ It is to be inferred from this language of Irvine that the killing of the 
Moravian Indians was not generally denounced by the suffering bordormen — 
by those who had "had fathers, mothers, brothers, or children, butchered, tor- 
tured, scalped, by the savages." But Col. Edward Cook (who lived however 



Appendix L. oJfB 

press may come from me or be miiiQ. ISTo man knows whether 
I approve or disapprove of killing the Moravians. 

I called a meeting of most of the principal militia officers. 
The}' were convened here last Friday. After long conferences, 
which lasted near two days, they parted seemingly pleased 
with the plans I proposed to adopt for the protection of the 
country and promised they would support me.^ I have also 
been fortunate enough to suppress the mutinous disposition of 
the troops without blood-shedding. From all this, you will 
make yourself easy respecting my present safety. 

Some people are killed and some taken, by the Indians, in 
almost every quarter. I lost five of my men, a few days since, 
who were wood-cutting and carelessly laid down their arms to 
load the wagon, when a party rushed on them. This was at a 
fort [Mcintosh] we have thirty miles down the river. 

Whether my mind may change or not, I cannot say, but 
from the state of things at present 1 would not consent for the 



rather more " in the interior part of the country"), writing to the governor of 
Pennsylvania, on the second day of September following, says : 

"I am informed that you have it reported that the massacre of the Mora- 
vian Indians obtains the approbation of every man on this side the momitains, 
which I assure your excellency is false; that the better part of the community 
are of opinion the perpetrators of that wicked deed ought to be brought to 
condign punishment; that without something is done by government in the 
matter, it will disgrace the annals of the United States, and be an everlastmg 
plea and cover for British cruelty." 

There was, also, a man in Pittsburgh, though not a suffering borderer, who 
wrote very freely to his friends in disapprobation of the killing of the Moravian 
Indians, as the following extract from one of his letters clearly shows: 

"The Pennsylvania militia formed an expedition against the Indians about 
three months ago ; but, instead of going against the enemies of the country, 
they turned their thoughts on a robbing, plundering, murdering scheme, on 
our well-known friends, the Moravian Indians, all of whom they murdered in 
the most cool and deliberate manner (after living with them apparently in a 
friendly manner for three days), men, women, and children; in all, ninety- 
three tomahawked, scalped and burned, except one boy, who, after being 
scalped, made his escape to the Delaware Indians (relatives of the Moravians), 
who have ever since been exceeding cruel to all prisonei-s they have taken." — 
Major William Croghan to William Davies, Virginia Secretary at War, July 
6, 1782. 

» Ante, pp. 104, 284, 323. 



3^ WasJdngton-Irvine Correspondence. 

universe to your coming up [here]. If your sister [Mrs. 
"William] ISTeill lives in the country this summer and you could 
accomplish taking the children with you, I should have no ob- 
jection to your spending some weeks with her. . . Major 
Craig brought me two shirts. 



Y. 

Fort Pitt, May 1, 1782. 

My Dearest Love: — I wrote you yesterday by Captain Yan- 
lear. By him, I also wrote Mr. [William] ]!^eill [Irvine's 
brother-in-law] on business of his. 

I received advices two days ago by express from the com- 
mander-in-chief, which creates a kind of suspicion that it is 
more than probable I shall not be much longer at this place, 
at this time, than till the latter end of July. From that time, 
perhaps, I may be absent till the first of November. But this 
is as yet uncertain and undetermined. As to sending for you 
under these circumstances, I cannot think of it. . , This 
is the most wretched and miserable vile hole ever man dwelt 
in; and for a woman, of any credit, delicacy, or humanity, I 
never saw such another. 

My time is employed in the best manner I can think of; 
sometimes, trying to bring into some order and discipline the 
rascally, abandoned troops; at other times, riding, walking, 
hunting; and at others, gardening. But this, Mr. Rose and 
his man Henry attend particularly to. I assure you we have 
a pretty good garden, such as would pass with you as tolera- 
ble. How elegant our peas are — thick and fine! and we have 
wild tongue-grass, asparagus, and a variety of fine greens in 
great abundance. 

There is no school, which is another grand objection [to 
your coming], as this is the time your dear son [Callender] 
should not lose an hour. Perhaps things may take a favorable 
turn. I am heartily tired and almost worn down with people 
coming daily for protection and assistance. 



Appendix L. 31^7 



yi. 

FoET Pitt, May 10, 1782. 

My Dearest Love: — I have nothing new since I wrote you 
by Mr. Duncan. I got your little pathetic letter by Mr. 
Ormsby. 

How little, my love, you must reflect on the hardships and 
sufferings that thousands undergo, ten thousand fold more 
grievous than yours, if possible. Consider what anguish must 
the poor, wretched mother feel who has a tomahawk struck 
into her infant's head while in her arms; and what is yet 
worse, some have their infants carried off they know not where 
nor for what purpose. The most hope they can have is that 
they maybe living, but for what purpose — why, at best, to be 
brought up as savages, which I think worse than death.^ 

When you think seriously of tliese things, and much more 
I might enumerate, [you will see your condition in a more 
favorable light], I dare say you see daily instances of peo- 
ple — your neighbors around — who, on many accounts, are 
more distressed than yourself. You know no real want, except 
a separation from me. My labors and exertions in the cause of 
my country and particularly my endeavors at this moment to 
avert some of the evils I have now mentioned, from some hun- 
dreds of [people of] this country, — though I do not reap many 
benefits or emoluments [therefrom], the daj'- must come when 
some of m}' family must reap the rewards due my toils, in one 
way or other. This, however, ought to be a consolation, that 
whether matters turn out well or not in the end, I have done 
for the best. 



VIL 



FoET Pitt, May 21, 1782. 
My Dearest Love: — I received your letter by Mr. Reed and 
will write you by him when he goes again, which he says will 

'The horrors of the western border war are, in these few words, strikingly 
and truthfully depicted. 



3Ji.8 Waslihigton-Irvine C orresjjyondence. 

be in about, a week. I stand mucb in need of a pair or two of 
thread-stockings and gloves — none to be got here. 

I had some intention last week to go with a party of volun- 
teer militia against an Indian town [Sandusky] but have now 
given up thoughts of it.^ Mr. Rose, however, marched thi-s 
morning. The town [Upper Sandusky] is upwards of two 
liundred miles distant from this place. It will be near a 
month before he can possibly return.^ In the mean time I will 
apply myself close to gardening and making improvements on 
a spot over the river, which I hope to procure for Cullender — 
'tis a lovely spot indeed. 

YIII. 

Fort Pitt, June 15, 1782. 
My Dearest Love: — It is long indeed since I heard from 
you. I have expected Mr. Duncan a fortnight. Mr. Eose re- 
turned last night from the expedition with the militia against 
the Indian town Sandusky, but was unsuccessful. They 
fought part of two days, but were obliged to retreat without 
destroying the town, but lost only about forty men killed, 
wounded, and missing. Mr. Rose's horse was wounded.^ As 
I am not certain of a sure conveyance for this I will not add 
[any thing more]. 

' The enterprise here spoken of was the expedition under Colonel William 
Crawford. The following relates to this expedition: 

" Bedford, May 18, 1782. 
^^Sir: ... On my way from the Standing Stone, I met sundry per- 
sons who came from the Monongahela and Washington county; all of thera 
agree in reporting that a party consisting of upwards of six hundred volun- 
teers are going against Sandusky and are to meet to-morrow at Mingo Bottom 
[on the east side of the Ohio], in order to cross the [Ohio] on their way to that 
place." — Benanl Dougherty to P res' t Moore. 
*See letter following, as to the return of "Mr. Rose." 
^ This is the only place I remember ever to have seen thia fact stated. 



APPENDIX M. 



MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE. 



I. — Colonel John Gibson^ to Irvine. 

Fort Pitt, January 28, 1782. 
Dear General: — Your letter from Proctor's by Ensign 
Morrison, with the money therein mentioned, came safe to 

' John Gibson was born at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, May 23, 1740. He 
received a classical education, and was an excellent scholar at the age of 
eighteen, when he entered the service. His first campaign was under General 
Forbes, in the expedition which resulted in the acquisition of Fort Duquesne — 
afterward Fort Pitt — from the French. He then settled at Pittsburgh as 
a trader. War broke out in 1763 with the Indians, and Gibson was taken 
prisoner at the mouth of Beaver in what is now Beaver county, Pennsylvania, 
together with two men who were in hia employ. They were, at the time, de- 
scending the Ohio in a canoe. One of his men was immediately tortured at 
the stake, and the other shared the same fate as soon as the party reached 
the Kanawha. Gibson, however, was preserved by an aged squaw, and 
adopted by her in the place of a son who had been killed in battle. In 
1764, he was given up by the Indians to Col. Bouquet, when he again settled 
at Pittsburgh, resuming his occupation of trading with the Indians. 

In 1774, Gibson acted a conspicuous part in the expedition against the 
Shawanese, under Lord Dunmore; particularly in negotiating the peace which 
followed. It was upon this occasion, near the watei-s of the Scioto river, in 
what is now Pickaway county, Ohio, that Logan, the Mingo chief, made to 
him the speech so celebrated in history. 

On the breaking out of the revolution, Gibson was the western agent of 
Virginia, at Pittsburgh. After the treaty held in the fall of 1775, at that 
place, between the Delawares and the representatives of the Shawanese and 
Senecas on the one part, and the commissioners of the American congress on 
the other pai't, by which the neutrality of the first mentioned tribe was se- 
cured, he undertook a tour to the western Indians in the interests of peace. 
Upon his return, he entered the continental service, rising, finally, to the com- 
mand of the 13th Vn-ginia regiment, at Fort Pitt, in the summer of 1778, he 
having previously seen service east of the mountains. He remained at that 
post from that date until the close of the war, having several times the chief 
command, though temporarily, of the fort and its dependencies. For his ser- 



350 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

haud.^ Agreeable to your instructions, I have delivered to 
each of them thirty-six pounds [sterh'ng], and am in hopes 
they will be able to enlist a number of men. 

Since you left us, nothing material has happened only that 
the pork from Hannastown, which Mr. Iluffnagle had engaged, 
did not arrive, and we were for three days without a single 
ounce of meat. However, the country people begin now to 
bring it in pretty fast, and when Wilson [one of the contract- 
ors] arrives I am in hopes we shall be well supplied. 

I have engaged [John] Small to saw the plank for the plat- 
form, and as soon as the weather permits I shall begin to 
make the repairs you pointed out to me. 

You must have had a disagreeable jaunt down the country, 
as the weather was excessive cold and the roads very bad. I 
could have wished you had staid until the snow fell, as it 
made the roads much better; but I hope by this time you have 
overcome your fatigue and are happy in the enjoyment of 
your family and friends. Captain [Isaac] Craig will deliver 
you this, to whom I beg leave to refer for the news at Fort 
Pitt. Major [Frederick] Yernon and Captain [Samuel] Brady 
go with him.^ Captain Carnahan is still here. He talks 
of setting off in a few days. I shall be happy to hear from 
you by every opportunity and esj)ecially if the match between 
Mrs. Callender and Colonel [Stephen] Bayard is broken off- 
Please present my most respectful compliments to Mrs. Irvine 
and family. Major Rose, and the gentlemen of Carlisle.^ 

vices, a Virginia military land warrant was issued before December 31, 1784. 
He remained in the west and was a member of the convention which framed 
the constitution of Pennsylvania in 1790; and, subsequently, was a judge of 
Alleghany county, that state; also a major-general of militia. He was sec- 
retary of the territory of Indiana until it became a state, and, by virtue of 
his office, was, at one time, its acting governor. He died at Braddock's Field, 
in Alleghany county, April 10, 1822. At the time of his death, be was a 
pensioner under the act of March 18, 1818. 

^ Not found. It was written by Irvine on his way over the mountains from 
Fort Pitt. Proctor's was on the old Forbes road, in Westmoreland county, 
Pa. 

' Craig soon returned to Fort Pitt (ante, p. 343). Captain Brady also came 
back (ante, p. 319, note; also, p. 336). 

* This letter was directed to Irvine, at Carlisle. It will be remembered that 



Appendix M. 351 



II. — Captain John Finley to Irvine. 

FoET Pitt, Saturday Evening^ February 2, 1782. 
Dear General: — This evening we are informed that the 
troops which compose this garrison, intend to mutiny, and 
have appointed Monday next to put it into execution. It ap- 
pears to be general throughout all the corps. Mr. Tannehill's 

before leaving Fort Pitt, he placed Gibson in temporary command of the post 
(ante, p. 85, note). During his absence, the following orders were issued (at 
the dates therein given) by Gibson: 

" Fort Pitt, Jamcari/ 16, 1782. 
" Orders. Colonel Gibson commanding. The colonel-commandant re- 
quests the favor of the officers of the day and guards at dinner in future." 

"Fort Vm, January 2Q, 1782. 

" Orders. The troops in this district will be mustered between the fourth 
[first] and fifth of next month. The officers commanding corps will have as 
many of their number present as possible. Officers commanding companies 
will have muster rolls made out to the first of Feb'y 1782. The artillery will 
be mustered on the first of the month; the 7th Virginia regiment on the second; 
and the Pennsylvania detachment on the fourth. John Finley, S. I." 

"A detachment will parade to-morrow morning at troop-beating for a 
command of two weeks. Detail : 

S[ubaltem]. S[erg't]. D[rum]. R[ank and F[ile]. 

" Pennsylvania detachment — 1. 0. 0. 9. 

" Lieutenant [Samuel] Reed for command." 

"Fort Pitt, Jamiary 27, 1782. 
"Orders. Captain Clark, commanding. A garrison court-martial will set 
to-morrow morning at ten o'clock for the trial of Richard Richards, matross 
in Captain [Isaac] Craig's company of artillery. Captain [Uriah] Springer 
will preside: members — Captain [James] Lloyd, Lieutenant Crawford, Lieu- 
tenant [Jacob] Coleman, Lieutenant [Henry] Dawson." 

" Fort Pitt, January 30, 1782. 
"Orders. Captain Clark, commanding. At a garrison court-martial where- 
of Captain Springer was president, Richard Richards, a matross in Captain 
Craig's company of artillery, was tried for being out of the garrison after 
tattoo beating and abusing an inhabitant of the town of Pittsburgh; — no 
positive evidence appearing against him in support of the latter part of the 
charge, the court acquit [him] of it, but find him guilty of being out of the 
garrison after tattoo beating and sentence him to receive fifty lashes on his 
bare back by the drummer of the garrison. The commandant approves the 
Bentence ; and it [the punishment] is to take place this evening at retreat 
beating." 



35^ Washington- Irvine Correspondence. 

not bringing mone}^ to pay them appears to be their reason for 
such conduct. They have been repeatedly told that you would 
bring money with you to pay them, but they will not believe 
it. I dread the consequences, and am afraid it will be at- 
tended with the loss of some lives should they attempt to 
march otf, which I think they will do. The officers seem de- 
termined to use every strategem to prevent it, and put a stop 
to it before that time; and if they still persist, we must try 
what force we can collect to oppose them. I will write you 
more fully by Mr. Duncan; he intends to leave this post on 
the tenth instant. I am busy mustering and inspecting the 
troops, and hope will have the abstract ready to send by Mr. 
Duncan. 

" Fort Pitt, February 12, 1782. 
" A muster roll of the corps belonging to this detachment for the month of 
January, 1782, [is] to be given to Mr. Tannehill immediately, that he may be 
enabled to draw the subsistence and settle the accounts of provisions, agree- 
able to the instructions of the paymaster general." 

" Fort Pitt, Fehniary 17, 1782. 
"A detachment from the troops of this garrison [is] to parade this evening, 
with their packs for a command of two weeks. Lieutenant [John] Harrison 
will command the detachment: 

"S[ubaltern]. S[erg't]. C[orporal]. D[rum]. R[ank]. 

"0. 0. 1. 0. 7.— Detachment; 

"0. 0. 0. 0. 6.— Guard." 

•' Fort Pitt, February 20, 1782. 
" The shoes which are arrived for the department are, agreeable to the re- 
turns, to be divided as follows: to the 7th Virginia regiment, forty-six pairs; 
to the detachment Pennsylvania line, thirty-eight pairs; to Captain Craig's 
company, twelve pairs. The officers commanding corps are requested to be 
very particular in dehvering them to such as are most employed on duty and 
fatigue. 

" Notwithstanding the repeated orders to the contrary, the commanding 
officer is sorry to see so much remissness in attending the parade. He requests 
that particular attention will be paid by every one to the former orders issued 
by General Irvine, and that in particular the rolls may be called after tattoo 
beating, and that all such as are absent at any time at roll-calling may be 

confined." 

"Fort Pitt, February 22, 1782. 

" A garrison court-martial is to sit to-morrow for the trial of such prisoners 

as may be brought before it. Captain Clark is appointed president; Captain 

[Benjamin] Biggs, Captain-Lieutenant [William] Martin, Lieutenant [John] 

Ward, and Lieutenant [Jacob] Springer, members." 



Appendix M. 353 

I am apprehensive from the information which Mr. Tanne- 
hill gives rae that I shall get no clothing. He tells me he 
could get but little satisfaction from General Lincoln. After 
making a return of the officers of every rank at this post, 
nothing but the muster abstract was handed to the clothier 
general, where I lind I was mustered on command to join my 
regiment. I hope you will set the matter in a clear light to 
the minister at war, as he may not know that you ordered me 
to remain here.^ 

There must have been some mistake in the calculation of 
the officers' subsistence at this post; they have sent but 9d. ^ 
per ration, and we are obliged to pay the contractors eleven 
pence half penny per ration. I hope you will represent this 
matter to the paymaster general. Mr. Tannehill informs me 
he will write the first opportunity to Mr. [John] Pierce [pay- 
master general] concerning it. I will be happy to see you at 
this post again. 

P. S. — Col. Gibson is apprehensive that the gentleman that 
carries this letter will delay on the road, and does not write, 
as he expects a speedier conveyance shortly." 



III. — Geoege Gibson to Irvine. 

York, February 5, 1783. 
Dear Sir: — Mr. Lowrey^ is of opinion that it will be al- 
most impracticable to make a wagon road from Sandusky to 
Detroit until the summer month begins, the country being 

' The following is the order referred to: 

"Fort Pitt, December 15, 1781. 

" Captain John Finley is appointed to do the duty of brigade major and 
inspector at this post and its dependencies till further orders, in the room of 
Captain Joseph [L.] Finley, who is ordered [as a supernumerary] to join his 
regiment in the line." 

^ This letter was addressed to Irvine at Carlisle. 

' Alexander Lowrey, the son of Lazarus Lowrey. He was born in the north 
of Ireland, in December, 1727. His parents, with several elder children, 
came to America in 1729, and settled in Donegal township, Lancaster county, 
Pennsylvania. His father became an Indian trader, which occupation Alex- 
ander entered about 1748, in partnership with Joseph Simon of the town of 
23 



^ 



35 Jf. Washington-Irvine Correspondence. I 

i 

low, level and swampy, many small rivulets that disembogue 
into Sandusky river being in the spring swelled to large, deep 
streams. He is certain that it would be exceeding tedious and 
not to be done without much labor. 

lie laj's down the following route: Embark the armament 
at Fort Pitt during the spring freshets. Go down the Ohio to 

Lancaster, — the fur trade with the Indians being at that period quite lucra- 
tive. The connection with Mr. Simon, continuing for forty years, was finally 
closed and settled without a word of difference between them, with large 
gains resulting, over many and severe losses from Indian depredations on their 
trains and trading posts. 

Mr. Lowrey was, from the first, outspoken and ardent for separation from 
the mother country. In July, 1774, he was placed on the committee of cor- 
respondence for Lancaster, and was a member of the provincial conference 
held in Philadelphia on the 15th of that month; and of that convened in 
Carpenters' Hall, 18th of June, 1776; also of the convention of the 15th of 
July following. He was chosen to the assembly in 1775, and, with the excep- 
tion of two or three years, served as a member of that body almost uninter- 
ruptedly until 1789. In May, 1777, he was appointed one of the commissioners 
to procure blankets for the army. In 1776, he commanded the third bat- 
talion of the Lancaster County Associators, and was in active service in the 
Jerseys during that year. As senior colonel he commanded the Lancaster 
county militia in the battle of Brandywine. At the close of the revolution, 
Colonel Lowrey retired to his fine farm adjoining Marietta. Under the con- 
stitution of 1789-90, he was cominissioned by Governor Mifflin justice of the 
peace, an office he held until his death, which occurred on the 31st of January, 
1806. His, remains lie interred in Donegal church graveyard. 

Colonel Lowrey was married three tinaes: first to Mary Waters, in 1752; 
next to Mrs. Ann Alricks, widow of Hermanns Alricks, of Cumberland 
county; and lastly, to Mrs. Sarah Cochran, of York Springs, in 1793. He 
left two sons and three daughters by his first wife. The sons settled near 
Frankstown, leaving numerous descendants. His daughter Elizabeth mar- 
ried Daniel Elliott, of Cumberland county, who afterwards removed to Pitts- 
burgh, and was engaged in Indian trade with his father-in-law. The daughter 
Mary married John Hay, who also went to Pittsburgh. Margaret, the young- 
est, married George Plumer who was born in Westmoreland county, and rep- 
resented that district in the legislature and in congress for many years. By 
his second wife, he had one child, Frances, who married Samuel Evans, of 
Chester county, but they lived and died on Colonel Lowrey's home-place. Mrs. 
Evans had sons and daughters, and was a woman of great force of character 
and intelligence. 

Colonel Lowrey was a remarkable man in many respects, and his life was 
an eventful one, whether considered in his long career in Indian trade, a 
patriot of the revolution, or the many years in which he gave his time and 



Appendix M. 355 

the Scioto; up that stream to the forks [now Columbns, Ohio]; 
and you may proceed above the forks, twenty niiles.^ Thence 
you shape your course for Rocher de Bout;^ — a direct line 
from the salt lick town to that place will carry you clear of 
those streams I have before mentioned, as you will pass the 
heads of them and your route will be through a fine country, 
full of prairies (glades or savannas) and the woodlands are 
clear from underbrush.^ The distance to Detroit is one hun- 
dred and forty or one hundred and fifty miles. 

Boats large enough to carry an eighteen pounder may mount 
the Scioto at the aforesaid season (the spring). By this route 
you reduce your march more than one-half and escape the 
harassments of the savages; and the country, from its being 
so open, will not be so advantageous for these devils to act in. 
You may run down from Fort Pitt to Scioto in eight days; 
up the Scioto to the place of debarkation, in six days; and 
thence to Detroit, I suppose, in fifteen days, for he assures me 

means to the service of his country. He was greatly beloved by his neigh- 
bors, and during his long life shared with his associate and friend, Colonel 
Galbraith, the confidence and leadership accorded to both in public, church, 
and local affairs. — Wm. H. Egle, in Penn. Mag. of Hist. amlBiog., Vol. IV, 
pp. 90-92. 

It is evident from the wording of Mr. Gibson's letter, that Irvine had solic- 
ited him to make inquiries of Colonel Lowrey concerning the most practicable 
route from Pittsburgh to Detroit, for an army to travel ; and, after making 
the inquiry, he (Gibson) gave the result of it to Irvine in the letter above. 

' The point of debarkation cannot be determined with certainty for the 
reason that Col. Lowrey does not say which of the forks it was the custom to 
proceed up " twenty miles," whether the Scioto proper or the Olenfcangy. 

^ Rocher de Bout is not put down on any of the old maps. It was, no 
doubt, the Roche or Rocher de Bout — "Rock on End" — called, in En- 
glish, "Standing Rock," located on the Maumee river, above the rapids at 
Waterville, some three or four miles above what is now Perrysburg and on 
the west side of the stream. In Howe's Hist. Coll. of Ohio, it is erroneously 
called " Rocher de Boeuf." 

^ It is quite impossible to trace, except approximately, the route taken from 
the point of debarkation to Rocher de Bout, from the description of it given 
by Colonel Lowrey. The only certainty about it is, that it was the shortest 
practicable route which kept clear of "the many small rivulets that disem- 
bogue mto Sandusky river," which, "in the spring, were swelled to large, 
deep streams." The "glades or savannas" mentioned are the Sandusky 
plains (See, post p. 366, note 2 ). 



3-56 Washington-Irvine Corresj^ondence. 

the road may be made as fast as the troops can march, . . He 
(Mr. Lowrej) has gone frequently from the salt lick town to 
Detroit in eight days with pack horses.^ 



lY. — Irvine to Colonel John Evans.^ 

Fort Pitt, Mardi 28, 1782. 

Sir:- — You will see by the enclosed resolutions of congress^ 
the object of my command in this quarter, and I make no doubt 
you will easily conceive that from the jarring interests and 
other reasons, the advice and assistance of some of the principal 
people of this country will be necessary (indeed, indispensably 
so) for me. 

I therefore wish to see you and such of your field officers as 
you may think proper to warn (at least one from every battal- 
ion in your county) at this post on Friday, the fifth day of 
April next. Punctually to the day will be necessary, as I have 
written to a number of gentlemen requesting their attendance 
at the same time. Whatever difference local situations may 
make in sentiments respecting territory, etc., a combination of 
forces to repel the enemy is clearly, I think, a duty we owe 
ourselves and country.* 

Y. — Colonel Kichaed Butler ^ to lR-\aNE. 

Carlisle, March 28, 1782. 
Dear General: — I was yesterday honored with a letter from 
his excellency [General Washington], wherein he mentions 
his wish of the troops here being got in readiness as fast as 

^ This letter was directed to Irvine at Pliiladelphia. 

' Lieutenant of Monongalia county, Virginia. 

^Ante, p. 72, note 1. 

^ A similar letter was sent the same day to Col. David Shepherd, lieutenant 
of Ohio county, Virginia. The last clause, however, was not added to the 
letters of the same date sent to the lieutenants of Westmoreland and Wash- 
ington counties, Pennsylvania. (Ante, p. 323.) It was thus the skillful and 
diplomatic writer poured oil upon the troubled waters of the boundary contro- 
versy. 

* Richard Butler was made a lieutenant-colonel in the eighth Pennsylvania 
regiment, being promoted from major, March 12, 1777; he was afterward 



Appendix M. 357 

possible to move, but not to raarcli until his further orders. 
He says he has ordered some clothing, etc., to be forwarded 
and given the necessary orders to the quarter-master general 
to provide camp equipage and carriage, etc., for the men on the 
march; but, if I divine right, there is a hope of the enemy 
evacuating Charlestown; if so, I shall hope an order [will be 
given to march] another way. The French have taken Brim- 
stone Hill by capitulation the most generous. The Dutch, it 
is expected, will make peace with Britain. High debates [are 
going on] in the British parliament for changing the mode of 
the war. It is said Massachusetts has agreed to the duty on 
imports; if so, then Delaware and Maryland, it is hoped, will 
also; andj then — 

I waited on Mrs. Irvine to-day. She is very well, also the 
children. I hope you and the other gentlemen have got up 
safe and that you find matters better than you expected.^ You 
see, my dear general, I am determined to have you in debt in 
the letter way. Please present my compliments to Colonel 
Bayard ^ and assure him of my good wishes for him, and accept 
the best wishes of your sincere friend. 



yi. — Charles Campbell ' to Irvine. 

Sewickley,'' March 28, 1782. 
Sir: — I received instructions from Colonel Edward Cook to 
make a draft in Colonel Pumroy's battalion and send them to 

(June 9th) transfered to Morgan's rifle corps; he was, in 1781 and 1782, colo- 
nel ol: the fifth Pennsylvania. In 1783, he was at the head of the third regi- 
ment of that state. He was afterward agent of Indian afifairs in the west; 
and, in the expedition of St. Clair against the Indians, in 1791, was second in 
command. He led the right wing of the army with the rank of major-general. 
He was killed by the savages on the 4th of November, after receiving several 
wounds, being tomahawked and scalped by the merciless foe. His brothers 
were Lieutenant-Colonel William, Major Thomas, and Captain Edward. 

' Butler has here reference to Irvine's return to Fort Pitt, this letter being 
directed to him at that post, where he arrived, it will be remembered, the 25th 
of March. 

"^ From this it will be seen that Colonel Bayard had already returned to Fort 

Pitt. 
^ Sub-lieutenant of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. 
* Sewickley creek, a tributary of the Youghiogheny river, empties into the 



358 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

Liojonier. But there are no arms nor ammunition to equip 
them, to go on their tour, nor jet are the officers in those parts 
willing to obey the orders that come from Colonel Cook as their 
county lieutenant. If your excellency sends me orders, they 
are much more willing to obey them, until some small disputes 
are settled. You will please let me know if you will supply 
the men with arms and the number that are to be called out. 
I would be glad- to be informed if we are to be supplied with 
any men from below.^ 

Yll. — [Nathaniel Seidel^ to Irvine. 

Bethlehem [Pa.], April 11, 1782. 

Esteemed Sir: — The bearer, Mr. Schebosh [Joseph Bull], 
having acquainted me and my brethren of the many marks of 
kindness and attention you were so condescending to show him 
on his being recaptured from the British and brought to your 
post last winter,^ emboldens me in behalf of myself and the 
elders of the United Brethren's church, to recommend him to 
your further and particular notice. Any fresh kindness shown 
him will greatly add to that sense of gratitude we already have 
the satisfaction to feel, and any assistance in money will be 
punctually repaid. 

We are exceedingly anxious by reports from sundry persons 
lately from Pittsburgh, importing that ninety-five Christian 
Indians, men, women and children, had been massacred ^ (by a 

parent stream on the right about half way from the mouth of Jacob's creek to 
the confluence of the Youghiogheny with the Monongahela. 

' That is, from over the mountains. 

'Bishop of the Moravian church, or, as he calls it, "the United Brethren's 
church." 

3 Ante, p. 342, note 2. 

•* The reports about which the bishop was so anxious were those contained in 
Leinbach's "Relation " (ante, p. 237, note) and in three letters: one from Mr. 
John Etwine, dated Litiz, March 31, 1782, and two from Mr. George Niser, 
dated at York Town — the first on the 4th of April, 1782, the other the next day. 
In Etwine's letter was this information: " It is reported from Lancaster [Pa.], 
that 160 militia men from Ohio have destroyed two Delaware towns [and] 
have killed 95 Indians." In the first letter from Niser was this sentence: 
"I have seen a letter written by a woman at Pittsburgh, dated March 21, 
which contains these particulars: ' The militia have killed 99 of the Moravian 



Appendix If. 359 



large number of volunteers^ from the frontiers) in the towns 
on the Muskingum built by Indhins in common with our 
church, but who were carried prisoners to Sandusky last fall, 
ere they had gathered their corn: this last circumstance adds 
much to our concern; fearing hunger had actually driven them 
back in search of food, and that they have met with so cruel a 
death. 

It is further reported that a new expedition of the same 
kind, but composed of a larger number, was preparing to cut 
off the remainder at Sandusky.^ Our anxiety on this head is 
very great; as well for the safety of our poor Indian congre- 
gation as also for our brethren, the missionaries. I therefore 
take the liberty of communicatiug my apprehension to j^our 
honor, hoping your authority will be extended to the utmost 
for their protection. Mr. Schebosh entertains some hopes of 
proceeding to his family at Sandusky.^ 

Indians, namely, 33 men and 66 women and children.' " The following' is an 
extract from Niser's second letter: "The Moravian Indian congregation at 
Sandusky is butchered, as it is reported by the Scotch. They came and told 
them they must prepare directly for death. The Indians requested but an 
hour's time for this purpose, which was granted. They went to their meeting 
house to join in prayers to the Lord. After the hour had passed, they fell upon 
them and butchered all of them in cold blood, in the meeting house and 
then set fire to the house." (Compare, in this connection, Penn. Arch., vol. IX, 
p. 525.) 

' This use of the word " volunteers " was wholly unwarranted, as Leinbach's 
" Relation " and the extracts from the letters of Etv:ine and Niser given in the 
preceding note conclusively show, without further reference. The men who 
went to the "Muskingum" are there spoken of as "militia," not as "volun- 
teers," at all. 

''The " further report " which the bishop here speaks of reached him in Lein- 
bach's "Relation'' and Etwine's letter. The former ends with these words: 
" Before these informants came away [that is, before Leinbach's two neigh- 
bors came from the Monongahela], it was agreed that 600 men should meet 
on the 18th of March, to go to Sandusky which is about 100 miles from Mus- 
kingum." In the letter of Etwine was this sentence: "There were 600 men 
ready to make another tour [after the return of the 160 ' militia '] further up 
the country." (See Penn. Arch., vol. IX, p. 525.) From these reports, the 
bishop concludes that the object was to "cut off the remainder" of the 
Moravian Indians at Sandusky; but this conclusion had no other foundation 
than in his own imagination. (See p. 282 and note 3 thereto.) 

2 But these hopes were frustrated and he returned to Bethlehem, Pa. (See 
letter No. IX, following.) 



oGO Wasliington-Irmne Correspondence. 



YIII. — Lieutenant Samuel Bryson^ to Irvine. 

Fort McIntosh, April 29, 1782. 

Sir: — I send you under j^nard, John Phillips and Thomas 
Steed, for behaving in a mutinous manner. I shall not, at this 
time, enter into a description of the manner in which tliey be- 
haved, as the two men who guards them can give jou particu- 
lar information, they being the only ones who spiritedly took 
my part. 

Phillips, who was sober, I cannot think myself justifiable in 
ever letting him out of the garrison with his life. But not 
having arms immediately in my power when I got rescued 
from him and observing a general sourness amongst the men — 
with his extraordinary conduct — induced me to suspect a pre- 
meditated design against me. Certain it is, from every thing 
I can learn, with the manner in which they embodied, that 
three- fourths of them were ready to join the mutineers; for 
which reason, I thought it most prudent for the safety of my- 
self and the garrison to apply moderate measures first.- 

There was a rascally boat's- crew lying under cover of the 
fort a night and part of a day, who found means to convey 
seven quarts of whisky to the men after roll-call yesterday 
morning; which, for some time, gave me an amazing trouble. 
Had it not been want of men I would have sent the crew to 
you, particularly from my being informed they were under 
guard at Pitt for the same crime. I had them searched; and 
to prevent any such trouble in future will suffer none to lay 
here longer than I examine tliem. 

I wish to have two good men to replace the prisoners — and 
have nothing to fear in future; though the duty is much 
harder, it is done without a syllable of grumbling. I have 
experienced more insolence and grumbling for barely obliging 
them to do their dut}- consistent with the post since here, than 
I have met with in the army before. 

There is not any appearance of an enemy yet. The plan of 
sending out patrols from the large plain which surrounds the 

' Of the 2d Pennsylvania regiment. 

* Sec p. Ill and note 2 thereto; also, p. 172. 



Appendix M. 361 

fort might, I think, be fatal to the meii; as the enemy, from 
an adjacent hill, can see every man who leaves the fort. Of 
course, they can concert a plan to ambuscade them nnder the 
cover of large trees bordering the plain. In place of that, I 
have four or five active woodsmen, whom I think of sending 
out with rifles, two of a night, and limit them to bounds of 
five or six miles, on a hunting cruise and make their hours of 
coming in, the next day. They will have an equal chance with 
any scouting parties. If you disapprove of this plan, I shall 
hope to be informed by the bearer. I did not look upon your 
orders concerning the patrols as peremptory but discre- 
tionary. 



IX. — Irvine to Seidel. 

Fort Pitt, 31ay 8, 1782. 

Sir: — I received your letter of the 11th April last, by Mr. 
Schebosh;^ any attention paid him, when a prisoner, by me, 
was not meant to lay him, or any person for him, under the 
smallest obligation; it was dictated by humanity.^ 

As he can inform you verbally of the transaction at Mus- 
kingum, it will be unnecessary for me, at this time, to trouble 
you with an account of it.^ He can also inform you of my 
intentions respecting future measures. 

' See the bishop's letter to Irvine, ante, p. 358. 

' An account of the capture of Joseph Bull (Schebosh) has already been 
given (see p. 342, note 2). 

*By "the transaction at Muskingum " Irvine means the " Gnadenhuetten 
affair." It may here be stated, concerning this "transaction," that the rea- 
son why the militia were ordered out by Marshel at all was, because of Indian 
marauds and the belief that the towns upon the Tuscarawas were occupied 
by the marauders. Upon this point, contemporaneous evidence is positive 
(ante, p. 99, note 2; p. 239, note 4). The next question is, against what In- 
dians were the militia sent? Here, too, contemporaneous evidence is un- 
equivocal. The answer is, against "enemy Indians;" that is, hostile savages — 
marauding Tndians,or those believed to be such (ante, p. 99, note 2; p. 237, 
note 1; p. 239, note 4, second paragraph; and p. 240, note 1). Marshel's order- 
ing out the militia, therefore, "to go to Muskingum " was in accordance with 
legitimate warfare. Whatever acts were committed by them — whatever 



362 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

I believe the missionaries are safe, and I can assure you it 
will alwa3^s be pleasing to me to be able to render them 
service. I hope (and think it probable) they have removed 
farther than Sandusky; that being now a frontier, and one of 
the British and Indian barrier-towns, they cannot rationally 
expect to be safe at it.^ 

they did after the valley of the Tuscarawas was reached, he is not to be 
held accountable foi-. His intentions were patriotic, notwithstanding a 
"dark transaction " was the result. 

^ At the time that Bishop Seidel wrote the letter to which the above is an 
answor, he also wrote one of a Uke tenor to Col. Gibson. The answer of the 

latter was as follows : 

" Fort Pitt, May 9, 1782. 

''Sir: — Your letter by Mr. Schebosh [Joseph BuUl of the 11th ultimo, came 
safe to hand. I am happy to find that the few small services I rendered to 
the gentlemen of your society in this quarter meet with the approbation of you 
and every other worthy character. 

"Mr. Schebosh will be able to give you a particular account of the late hor- 
rid massacre perpetrated at the towns on Muskingum by a set of men, the 
most savage miscreants that ever degraded human nature. Had I have known 
of their intention before it was too late, T should have prevented it by inform- 
ing the poor sufferers of it. I am in hopes in a few days to be able to send 
you a more particular account than any that has yet transpired, as I hope to 
obtain the deposition of a person who was an eye-witness of the whole trans- 
action and disapproved of it. Should any accounts come tc hand from Mr. 
[David] Zeisberger, or the other gentlemen of your society, you may depend 
on my transmitting it to you. Please present my compliments to Mr. William 
Henry Jr., &c. 

"Believe me, with esteem, your most obed't humble servant, 

"Jno. Gibson, 

"Rev. Nathaniel Seidel. Col: 7th Va. Regiment." 

The following extract is from Loskiel's " Hist, of the Mission of the United 
Brethren [Moravian]," P. EI, p. 176: "Hearing that different companies of 
the believing Indians [" Moravians"] came occasionally from Sandusky to the 
settlements on the Muskingum [Tuscarawas branch] to fetch provisions, a 
party of murderers, about one hundred and fifty in number, assembled in the 
country near Whiling [Wheeling] and Butfaloe [Bufialo creek], determined 
first to surprise these Indians [the "Moravians "] and destroy the settlements 
and then march to Sandusky, where they might easily cut off the whole 
[Moravian] Indian congregation. As soon as Col. Gibson, at Pittsburgh, heard 
of this black design, he sent messengers to our Indians [the "Moravians"] on 
the Muskingum to give them timely notice of- their danger: but they came too 
late." Upon what authority it is here affirmed that Gibson sent messengers 
to the Tuscarawas, is unknown. It could hardly have been upon the state- 
ments in his letter just given. 



Ajppendix M. 363 



X. — Colonel William Crawford to Irvine. 

Colonel Canon's,^ 3£ay 20, 1782. 
Sir: — At my arrival at this place,^ I found a number of 
volunteers from Westmoreland county — about one hundred 
men. The Washington county people are to rendezvous at 
the Mingo Bottom [on the east side of the Ohio]. If com- 
mon report can be true, there will be about three or four hun- 
dred men. I am afraid the smallest number. I should be 
happy to see you at the Mingo Bottom if it is convenient for 
you. I am much afraid guides will be wanting. None seem 
to be fixed on that I can find that will go. I can hear noth- 
ing of Thomas Nicholson^ for scouting. To-morrow we shall 
be at the Mingo Bottom. About Wednesday we shall cross 
the Ohio and be able to begin our march on Thursday morn- 
ing or Wednesday evening. I must beg your assistance in 
requesting Dr. Knight's coming as soon as possible. I can 
find him a horse from Colonel Canon's, if he can come that 
far, I shall write you from time to time as opportunity may 
offer. 



XI. — Colonel Crawford to Irvine. 

Mingo Bottom,* May 24, 1782. 
Dear General: — Yours of the 20th was handed me by 
Major Rose, for which I am much obliged to you. 

After much confusion in crossing the river [Ohio], having 

' Now Canonsburgb, Washington county, Pennsylvania, then the home of 
John Canon. (See p. 284, note 2.) 

^ Crawford was on his way to meet the volunteers, who were to march 
against Sandusky. 

^ Thomas was a brother of Joseph Nicholson, who was famous as a scout, he 
having seen, perhaps, more service in that line, than any other person in the 
western country. He was with Washington in 1770, down the Ohio, to the 
Great Kanawha, proving himself upon that occasion, a useful guide. In Dun- 
more's war of 177-4, he acted as pilot. He was also engaged in the same 
capacity in several expeditions, during the revolution, fi'om Fort Pitt. After 
the war, he settled at Pittsburgh and died there. 

* On the west side of the Ohio. 



36Ji, Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

only four small canoes to ferry over men, horses and bag- 
gatre, — we this day got over four hundred and sixty-eight men 
and to-morrow morning at eight o'clock we are to march; 
which I hope will be done. I shall endeavor to do all in my 
power for the good of my country; but, as those whom I 
command are volunteers and subject to alter their minds, lean 
only say I will do all I can for the best, and as far as I can. 
The whole at present seem determined to fight; and I am re- 
solved they shall have an opportunity if I can [give them one] 
with a color of success. I shall take every precaution to pre- 
vent being surprised or getting, into confusion. 

Should it so happen that I can write to you before I return, 
I will. 

I humbly thank you for favoring me with Major Kose, as 
he will be of great service to me.^ 



XII. — Lieut. John Eose^ to Irvine. 

Mingo Bottom, Friday^ May 24, 1782. 
Sir: — The Mingo bottom is not a very long day's journey 
from Fort Pitt. Notwithstanding, I did not arrive here until 
the next day, late in the afternoon. I found everybody cross- 
ing, with the utmost expedition, the Ohio; and I myself pushed 
over immediately after my arrival. My fears that the present 
expedition would miscarry have been dispelled this very mo- 
ment only. Colonels [David] Williamson and [William] 
Crawford did seem to have numerous and obstinate adherents. 
The latter carried the election this day but by five votes; and 
I cannot but give Colonel Williamson the utmost credit for 
his exhorting the whole to be unanimous after the election 
had been made known, and cheerfully submitted to be second 
in command. I think if it had been otherwise, Crawford 
would have pushed home and very likely we should have dis- 

' This, it is believed, was the last letter ever written by the unfortunate 
colonel. The original is now in the possession of Lyman C. Draper, LL. D., 
of Madison, Wisconsin. The expedition started for Sandasky the next 
morning. 

''Rose, it will be remembered, was aid-de-camp to Irvine. (See p. 117.) 



Appendix M. 365 



persed; which would have been likewise the case if William- 
son had not behaved with so much prudence. One Colonel 
[Thomas] Gaddis is third in command; Colonel [John] Mc- 
Clelland, fourth; and Major [James] Brenton, fifth in 
command. 

M.y presence caused, seemingly, uneasiness. It was surmised 
I had been sent to take command. An open declaration of 
mine, at a meeting of the officers, that I did not intend to take 
upon me any command of any kind whatsoever but to act as an 
aid-de-camp to the commanding ofiicer, seemed to pacify every- 
thing, and all goes on charmingly. We expect to set out early 
to-morrow morning and are only detained by the want of some 
ammunition which has been sent for yesterday to Mcintosh. 
We march, as you know, in four columns, etc. Our number 
is actually 480^ men, — young, active, and seemingly spirited. 
I have the most sanguine hopes of our undertaking and am 
very sorry Colonel [James] Marshel [lieutenant of Washing- 
ton county] does not march with us, who was within three or 
four votes of being third commander. I think him very pop- 
ular, as much so as Colonel Williamson. 

The report of an attack from the enemy upon the Hapids 
[Louisville, Kentucky] seems a mere invention. The men 
said to come from there have not been seen by anybody. 

Major [William] Pollock has furnished me and Dr. Knight 
forty-five pounds of bacon. I cannot persuade him to take 
any pay for it, but a mere receipt. I do not understand upon 
what principles they furnish these articles. 

I must beg the favor of you to receive my half-boots from 
Patrick Leonard and one pair of shoes, as I am already almost 
barefooted.^ 

* In Crawford's letter just given the number is stated at 468 that had then 
got over the river, but Rose's letter was, probably, written later in the day, 
when 12 more had succeeded in crossing. 

^ This letter gives much information concerning the organization of the ex- 
pedition against Sandusky not obtainable from other sources. It was written 
at the Mingo bottom, on the west side of the Ohio, in what is now Jefferson 
county, Ohio, not far below Steubenville, as was the previous letter by Col. 
Crawford. 



366 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 



XIII. — Col. David Williamson ' to Irvine. 

June 13, 1782. 
Dear Sir: — I take tlie opportunity to make you acquainted 
with our retreat from the Sandusky plains,'^ June 6th. We 
were reduced to the necessity of making a forced march throngh 
their [the enemy's] lines in the night, much in disorder; but 
the main body marched round the Shawanese camp and was 
lucky enough to escape their fire. They marched the whole 
night, and the next morning were re-enforced by some compa- 
nies which I cannot give a particular account of, as they were 
so irregular and so confused; but the number lost, I think, 
cannot be ascertained at this time. I must acknowledge my- 

' He was colonel, it will be remembered, of the 3d battalion of Washington 
county militia, and second in command upon the Sandusky expedition. 
He was a son of John Williamson, and was born in 1752, near Carlisle, Penn- 
sylvania. He came to the western country when a boy; he afterward re- 
turned home and persuaded his parents to emigrate beyond the Alleghanies. 
They settled upon Buffalo creek, in what was subsequently Washington 
county, about twelve miles from the Ohio. At that point, David had a "sta- 
tion " during the revolution, which, though often alarmed, was never attacked. 
From the commencement of Indian depredations, Williamson took an active 
part in the defense of the western border, having previously, during Dun- 
more's war, held a captain's commission. He was every where recognized as 
a true lover of his country — willing to make any sacrifice for its welfare. 
His activity in guarding the defenseless inhabitants of the frontier settlements 
was untiring. After the return of the Sandusky expedition, he was soon 
actively engaged in watching the exposed border — continuing his services 
until the restoration of peace. He was afterward popular with the people of 
his county, being first, county lieutenant and then elected, in 1787, to the office 
of sheriff. He was unsuccessful, however, in business, and died in poverty. 

* That is, the retreat of the volunteers who, under Col. Wm. Crawford, had 
marched against Sandusky. The plains he speaks of, lie within the present 
counties of Crawford, Marion and Wyandot, Ohio, south and west of the 
Sandusky river, seldom reaching to its banks. This stream, however, may be 
said to bound them on the north in Crawford, and on the east in Wyandot 
county. In the former county, their eastern boundary is the Olentangy; in 
Wyandot, their western boundary is the Tymochtee. In general terms, we 
may bound the plains on the north by the Sandusky, on the east by the Olen- 
tangy, on the south by the Scioto, and on the west by the Tymochtee. Their 
extreme length, east and west, is something over forty miles; their greatest 
breadth, north and south, nearly twenty miles. 



Appendix M. 367 



self ever obliged to Major Eose for his assistance both in the 
field of action and in the camp. His character, in our camp, 
is estimable, and his bravery cannot be outdone. Our country 
must be ever obliged to General Irvine for his favor done in 
the late expedition. Major Eose will give j'oa a particular 
account of our retreat.^ I hope when your honor takes into 
consideration the distress of the brave men in the present ex- 
pedition, and the distress of our country in general, you will 
do us the favor to call the officers together, as our dependence 
is entirely upon you, and we are ready and willing to obey 
your commands when called upon. I have nothing more par- 
ticular to write you. 

P. S. — Colonel Crawford, our commandant, we can give no 
account of since the nitjht of the retreat.^ 



Xiy. — Lieut. Eose to Irvine. 

Mingo Bottom, Jxine 13th, 1782. 

Sir: — Those volunteers who marched from here on the 
24th of May last, under the command of Colonel Wm. Craw- 
ford, are this moment returned, and recrossing the Ohio with 
Colonel Williamson. I am very sorry to observe, they did 
not meet with that success which so spirited an enterprise 
and the heroic bravery of the greater part deserved.^ 

So small a body could only expect success by surprising the 
enemy. We therefore begun a rapid and secret march in the 

' See next letter. 

"^ Crawford, as previously mentioned, became separated from most of the 
volunteers; and, on the 7th of June, 1782, while endeavoring to make his 
way back, in the rear of his retreating forces, was captured by the savages, 
being four days after, tortured to death, in what is now Wyandot county. 
Upon the return march of the main force, the command devolved upon Will- 
iamson, who, after his arrival at the Mingo bottom, on the west side of the 
Ohio, sent the above letter to Irvine as his official report of the expedition, — 
but, to a great extent, as he indicates, leaving it to Lieut. Rose to give the 
details. 

^ This letter and the one immediately preceding are the American oflBcial 
reports of Crawford's campaign against Sandusky, both of which were written 



368 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

straio;htest direction throno^h the woods for the towns of San- 
dusky. Our horses soon tired under their heavy loads in 
those enormous hills and swamps, we had to cross. This 
obliged us to incline to the southward towards the Moravian 
towns, into a more level country, though more frequented by 
hunters and warriors. On crossing the Muskingum [Tuscara- 

at the Mingo bottora on the west side of the Ohio. The following is the 
British and Indian official correspondence concerning the expedition : 

[I. — John Turney to Major A. S. DePeyster, Commandikg at 

Detroit.] 

"Camp Upper Sandusky, June 7, 1782. 

^'Sir: — I am happy in having the pleasure of acquainting you with our 
success on the 4th and 5th instant. On the 4th, about 12 o'clock, the enemy 
appeared about two miles from this place. Captain [William] Caldwell, with 
the rangers and about two hundred Indians, marched out to figlat them, and 
attacked them about 2 o'clock. The enemy immediately retreated to a copse 
of wood at a little distance, where they made a stand and had every advantage 
of us as to situation of ground people possibly could wish for; as there 
was but a small neck of woods that we could get possession of, which, when 
we once gained, the action became general and was dubious for some time till 
we obliged them to retreat about fifty yards, after which we were able to cover 
most of our men. The battle was very hot till night, which put a stop to firing. 
Both parties kept their ground all night. 

" On the 5th at daybreak, we again commenced firing, which we kept up 
pretty briskly till we found the enemy did not wish to oppose us again. How- 
ever, we kept firing at them whenever they dared show themselves. They 
made two attempts to sally, but were repulsed with loss. About 12 o'clock, 
we were joined by one hundred and forty Shawanese, and had got the enemy 
surrounded; but, through some mistake of the Indians, there was one pass 
left unguarded, through which they made their escape about 12 o'clock at 
night, though some of the Indians pursued them. 

"They [the Indians] never alarmed our camp until daybreak. As soon as I 
heard of it [the retreat of the Americans], I pursued them with the rangers 
about two miles. The enemy were mostly on horseback. Some of the Indians 
who had horses followed and overtook them, killed a number, and it was owing 
to nothing but the country being very clear that any of them escaped. 

" Captain Caldwell was wounded in both legs, the ball lodging in one. He 
left the field in the beginning of the action. Our loss is very inconsiderable. 
We had but one ranger killed and two wounded. LeVillier, the interpreter, 
and four Indians were killed and eight wounded. The loss of the enemy is 
one hundred killed and fifty wounded, as we are informed by the pi'isoners. 
The number of the killed we are certain of. 

" Captain Caldwell started for Lower Sandusky on the evening of the 4th 
instant. I intend to march there likewise in a day or two, where I shall wait 



Ajpxjendix M. 369 



was branch] on the 28th, we were unfortunate enough to be 
discovered by the enemy, which gave them sufficient time to 
prepare for our reception and alarm the adjacent Indian na- 
tions. JSTot withstanding our small numbers, amounting in the 
whole to four hundred and eighty, we continued our march 
with great precaution and met the enemy the 4th of June at 

your orders unless something should turn up before I hear from you. They 
say [General George Rogers] Clark will be in the Shavvanese country and that 
Sandusky is the most proper place for us to be at, till such time as we are certain 
the report is true. 

"Too much cannot be said in praise of the officers and men and the Indians. 
No people could behave better. Captain [Matthew] Elliott and Lieutenant 
Clinch in particular signalized themselves. John Turkey, 

" Major De Peyster. Lieut. Corps of Rangers." 

[IL — Same to Same.] 

"Camp Upper Sandusky, June 7, 1782. 

"iSiV; — I am desired by the Wyandots to return you thanks for the assist- 
ance you have sent them just in time of need, and they hope their Father 
will send them some provisions, ammunition and some clothing, as they say 
they are quite naked. They beg if possible a few more men; and the Half 
King a little rum to drink his majesty's health and the day on which he was 
born, as that was the day on which they defeated the enemy. They hope 
you will tell the Indians in general at Detroit to be ready to come to their 
assistance as soon as they send a runner, which may be in a few days as the 
enemy are coming into the Shawanese country. I am yVjur most obedient, 
humble servant. John Turney, 

"Lieut, of the Rangers, commanding Upper Sandusky. 

"Major De Peyster." 

[III. — Speech op Captain Snake on Behalf of the Mingoes, Shaw- 
anese AND DeLAWARES TO De PeYSTER.] 

"Upper Sandusky, June 8 [7], 1782. 

*^ Father: — What we asked of you this spring, it is needless to repeat, you 
granted to us. Your assistance came in good time. We have, with your 
people, defeated the enemy. There is another army coming against us from 
Kentucky. This we are certain of, not only from prisoners, but from our 
young men who are watching them. 

" Father! We hope you will again grant our request and let the rangers 
remain at Lower Sandusky about ten days and then march for our villages. 
We hope, if possible, you will send some more of your people and stores, 
such as are necessary for warriors, with cannon and provision sufficient to 
maintain the Indians you may send to us. This you cannot do too soon, as 
we are determined if the enemy do not come into our country tbat we will go 
24 



370 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

the plains of Sandusky. Our advanced light horse fell in 
with them a short distance from their town, and at 4 P. M., 
the action was general, close and hot. Both parties contended 
obstinately for a piece of woods, which the enemy was forced 
to quit at sunset, with the loss of several scalps. "We had live 
killed and nineteen wounded. The firing began early on the 



into theirs; and we will give you all the assistance in our power to transport 
your provision and what other necessaries you may send for your people. 

" We hope, Father ! you will not fail but send us all assistance possible. 
[Three strings of black wampum.] Captain Snake. 

"To Major De Peyster, Commanding Detroit and dependencies." 

[IV. — Alex. McKee of the British Indian Department to De 

Peyster.] 

Upper Sandusky, June 7, 1782. 

" Dear Sir: — You have already an account of the repulse of five hundred 
of the enemy who advanced near to this place and were surrounded by near 
an equal number of Indians with the rangers; but, being too sure of taking 
the whole, and an unlucky maneuver of the Indians ordering the sentinels 
posted around them to fire, showed the enemy their weakest part through 
which they escaped under cover of a dark night. However, they were pur- 
sued and dispersed. But it is difficult to ascertain the numbers killed, as the 
Indians are still bringing in prisoners and scalps, and numbers are still after 
^ them whose intentions are to follow them to the Ohio. Many, by the prison- 

ers' accounts, must perish in the woods, having left their clothes and baggage. 

"The chiefs assembled here have also spoken to you their sentiments, which 
is to go against the enemy, provided they find the enemy is not coming soon 
against them from Kentucky ; though it is generally believed they will; and 
that ten days or a fortnight will put us in certainty of their designs; in the 
mean time, that our forces be collected and wait at Sandusky until they send 
word what is farther to be done. They hkewise beg you to send them what 
further assistance you can, with a further supply of ammunition and stores 
suitable for warriors; as that on the way they think will not be sufficient and 
having already expended all they had. I shall go hence to Lower Sandusky 
where Captain Caldwell is and wounded, to see how matters can be settled 
there with the Indians, and thence proceed to the Shawanese towns. I am, 
with great respect, dear sir, your most obedient and very humble servant, 

"Major A. S. De Peyster, A. McKee. 

" Of the king's regiment, commanding Detroit, etc." 

[V. — Captain William Caldwell, op the Rangers, to De Peyster.] 

" [Lower] Sandusky, June 11, 1782. 
"Sir: — No doubt but you must ere this have received Lieutenant Turney's 
letter from Upper Sandusky. At the time it was written, we were not able to 
ascertain properly the enemy's loss as the pursuers were not all returned. I 



Appendix M. 371 



fifth. The enemy had received so severe a blow the preceding 
evening that he did not venture an attack, but contented him- 
self to annoy us at a distance. We were so much encumbered 
with our wounded and sick, that the whole day was spent in 
their care and in preparing for a general attack the next night, 
which was thought dangerous with a part only. But our in- 
tentions were frustrated by the arrival of a large body of 
mounted rangers and two hundred Shawanese in the after- 



now have the pleasure of transmitting to you as true an account as possible, 
which is, killed and wounded, two hundred and fifty. Amongst the prisoners 
[are] Colonel Crawford and some of the officers; amongst the killed is Major 
McClelland. Their officers I believe suffered much. Our loss is very incon- 
siderable: one ranger killed, myself and two wounded; Le Vellier killed; four U- 
Indians killed and eight wounded. The white men that are wounded are in 
a good way and I hope will be fiit for service in a fortnight. The Delawares 
are still in pursuit, and I hope we will account for most of the six hundred. 
The lake Indians are very tardy. We had but forty-four of them in the 
action. I should be glad they would hasten, as I expect we will have occasion 
for them. 

"I hope something will be done this summer. Clark, I believe, will soon 
be on his way for the Shawanese country; if so, we will have occasion for as 
many as possibly can be gathered. The Indian demands are great, and I have 
not a single thing to suffice them with. Provision is mostly their cry, which I 
hope you will send us a fresh supply of. Ammunition, tobacco, and such 
other things as are necessary for warriors, are requisite, if you please to send 
them. 

V The Chief- with-one-Eye and Dewantale, with their bands, are going to 
Detroit; as it is their custom after striking a blow to return and see their 
famihes; but whatever you may tell them, they will do with pleasure. They 
behaved very well whilst with me. Sindewaltone, your friend, the little old 
chief, remains with me. I find him very useful, as he seems willing to do 
every thing in his power for the good of the service. He is of great service to 
me and a better soldier never went into the field. 

" I received a ball through both my legs which obliged me to leave the 
field. If I had not been so unlucky I am induced to think, from the influence 
I have with the Indians, the enemy would not have left the place we sur- 
rounded them in. The young man who goes in with letters is a deserving 
young man and I hope you will reward him well. Please send us some pack 
ropes and stuff for bags as they will be very requisite. Capt. McKee sets out ^ 
to-day for the Shawanese towns. "Wm. Caldwell, 

" Major De Peyster. Captain Commanding at Sandusky. 

"P. S. — I must beg leave to recommend Abraham Corn, whom I found 
very useful." 



J 



372 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

noon. As these succors rendered the enemy so vastly superior 
to ns in numbers, and as they could collect all their forces in a 
circuit of about fifty miles, who kept pouring in hourly from 
all quarters to their relief, prudence dictated a retreat. This 
was effected in the night of the 5th and morning of the 6tli 
instant. 

The whole body was formed to take up their line of march, 



[VI. — De Peysxer to Brig. Gen. H. W. Powell, Commanding at 

Niagara.] 

" Detroit, J»»c 12, 1782. 

*' Sir: — I have the pleasure to inform you that the rangers and contederate 
Indians from this post, have been successful in opposing the enemy at San- 
dusky. I herewith enclose letters and Indian speeches to that purpose. You 
will see how they push me for more assistance, which it is not in my power to 
grant in the ruinous state the new fort is at present, — it having almost under- 
gone an inundation. If this weatlier continues I fear it will level our works. 
The oldest people here do not remember such a rainy season. We are much 
at a loss for tools to carry on the works, and I shall want iron both for this 
place and Michillimackinac If there is any on the communication, I hope you 
will be pleased to order it to be forwarded. A't S. De Peyster. 

"Brig. Gen'l Powell." 

[VII. — De Peyster to Thomas Brown, Superintendent op Indian 

Affairs.] 

" Detroit, Jidi/ 18, 1782. 

"Sir: — I am happy to inform you that the Indians fiom this quarter have 
gained a complete victory over six hundred of the enemy who had penetrated 
as far as Sandusky, with a view of destroying the Wyandots, men, women, and 
children, as they had done with ninety-sis of the Christian Indians at Musk- 
ingum [Tuscarawas] a few weeks before. 

"The affair of Sandusky happened on the 4th of June, -R-'ien the enemy left 
two hundred and fifty in the field ; and it is believed that few of the remainder 
escaped to Wheeling. 

"Their major, [John] McClelland, and most of the oflBcers were killed in the 
action. Colonel Crawford, who commanded, was taken in the pursuit and put 
to death by the Delawares, notwithstanding every means had been tried by 
\/ an Indian officer [Matthew Elliott] present, to save his life. This the Dela- 
wares declare they did in retaliation for the affair of Muskingum [the 
' Gnadenhuetten affair ']. 

" I am sorry that the imprudence of the enemy has been the means of reviv- 
ing the old savage custom of putting their prisoners to death, which, with 
much pains and expense, we had weaned the Indians from, in this neighbor- 
hood. . . . A't S. De Peyster. 

"Thos. Brown, Sup't Indian Affairs." 



Appendix M. 373 



and we had called in all our sentinels, when the enemy ob- 
serving our intentions beg-un a hot fire. We secured all our 
w'ounded and retreated in four parties, of which that one 
suffered most, that retired along the common road between the 
encampments of the Shawanese and Delawares in our rear. 
In a body trained to the strictest discipline, some confusion 
would have arisen, upon such an occasion. Several were con- 

jTIII. — Gen. Haldimand to Sir Guy Carlton.] 

"Quebec, July 29,, 1782. 
"... It is necessary to acquaint your excellency, which I do with much 
concern, that a few days ago I had advice from Detroit that a party of 
rangers and Indians had fallen in with the enemy on the 4th and 5th ultimo 
as far advanced to destroy the Indian villages at Sandusky. The rebels were 
near six thousand strong and were severely dealt with, having two hundred 
and fifty killed and wounded. A most unfortunate circumstance which 
attended this recounter, though extremely bad in itself, will as usual be ex- 
aggerated. A Colonel Crawford (who commanded) and two captains were 
tortured by the Indians in retaliation for a wanton and barbarous massacre of 
about eighty Moravian Indians, lately committed at Muskingum by the Virgin- 
ians, wherein it is said Mr. Crawford and some of that very party were perpe- 
trators. I hope my letter will arrive time enough to prevent further mischief, 
though I am very fearful it will not stop here. This act of cruelty is to be 
more regretted, as it awakens in the Indians that barbarity to prisoners which 
the unwearied efforts of his majesty's ministers had totally extinguished. . . 

"Frederick Haldimand." 

[IX. — De Peyster to Gen. Fred'k Haldimand.] 

" Detroit, August 18, 1782. 

"I am just honored with your excellency's letter of the 11th of July, ap- 
proving the conduct of the officers at the affair at Sandusky, and regretting 
the cruelty committed by some of the Indians upon Colonel Crawford, desir- 
ing me to assure them of your utter abhorrence of such proceedings. Believe 
me, sir, I have had my feelings upon this occasion ; and foreseeing the retalia- 
tion the enemy would draw upon themselves from the Indians, I did every 
thing in my power to reconcile the Delawares to the horrid massacre their 
relations underwent at Muskingum, where ninety-three of those inoffensive 
people were put to death, by the people from American back settlements, in 
cool blood ; and I believe I should have succeeded, had not the enemy so soon 
advanced with the intent, as they themselves declared, to exterminate the 
whole Wyandot tribe, not by words only, but even by exposing effigies, left 
hanging by the heels in every encampment. 

"I had sent messengers throughout the Indian country, previous to the 
receipt of your excellency's letter, threatening to recall the troops, if they, the 



371}, Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

sequently separated. But the main body was collected at 
day-break five miles from the place of action, on the ground 
where the town formerly stood. Here the command devolved 
upon Colonel "Williamson, as Colonel Crawford was missing, 
whose loss we all regretted. 

The enemy hung upon our rear through the plains. It was 
evidently their design to retard our march, until they could 

Indians, did not desist from cruelty. I have frequently signified to the Indians 
how much you abhor cruelty, and I shall to-morrow dispatch a person i have 
great confidence in, to carry your instructions to the southern nations. 

" We have been alarmed here with the accounts of a formidable body of the 
enemy, under the command of Gen. Hands, advancing this way, which occa- 
sioned my reinforcing Captain Caldwell, and sending Captain Grant to the 
Miamie with the armed vessels and gun-boats. Our scouts now report the 
enemy having retired. Captain Caldwell remains encamped on the banks of 
the Ohio, and Captain Grant arrived here yesterday. I have the honor to be, 
with great respect, sir, your excellency's most humble and most obedient 
servant, A. S. De Peystek. 

"His Excellency General Haldiman, commander-in-chief, etc." 

[X. — Extract from a Speech Delivered to Brig. Gen. McLean by 
Chiefs of the Six Nations, 11 Dec, 1782.] 
" We have hitherto, in general, refrained from retaliating their [the Ameri- 
cans'] cruelties, except in the instance of Colonel Crawford, the principal agent 
in the murder of the Moravians, and he was burned with justice and accord- 
ing to our custom." 

The following extracts from American newspapers and a British period- 
ical refer to Crawford's campaign : 

I. 

" It is reported, that a party of about 500 volunteers, who marched under 

the command of Colonel Crawford, from the neighborhood of Fort Pitt, 

against an Indian settlement called Sanduski, wei-e attacked within nine miles 

of that place, and were obliged to retire. When the last accounts came from 

them they were at Muskingham, and it is said about thirty of the party are 

killed and wounded. Colonel Crawford is missing." — Pennsylvania Packet, 

July 4th, 1782. 

II. 

" Extract of a letter from Fort Pitt, 15 June, 1782: 

'A party of volunteers, to the number of 400, under the command of 
Colonel William Crawford, formed a plan of surprising the upper town of 
Sandusky. We marched the 24th of May from the Mingo Bottom, on the 
Ohio river, with the utmost precaution and secrecy, through the woods, but 
were unfortunately discovered by some skulking Indians on crossing the Mus- 



Appendix 3f. 375 

possess themselves of some advantageous ground in front, and 
so cut off our retreat, or oblige us to fight them to disad- 
vantage. Though it was our business studiously to avoid 
engaging in the plains, on account of the enemy's superiority 
in light cavalry, they pressed our rear so hard, that we con- 
cluded upon a general and vigorous attack, whilst our light 

kingum [Tuscarawas] river. Notwithstanding our small number, we con- 
tinued our march and met the enemy on the 4th of June in the plains of 
Sandusky a few miles from their town where they had sufficient time to collect 
their own forces and alarm the adjacent nations. A hot action ensued, which 
lasted from 4 o'clock P. M., until sunset. Both parties obstinately contended 
for an advantageous piece of ground, from which we drove the enemy with 
the loss of several scalps. We had 5 killed and 19 wounded in this action. 
The firing began at day-break on the 5th, and continued all day. Our party 
were so encumbered with their wounded that the whole day was spent in their 
care, in defending our guard, and in preparing for a vigorous attack the suc- 
ceeding night. In the afternoon, a large body of mounted rangers and 200 
Shawanese arrived to their relief. As this succor rendered the enemy so vastly 
superior to us and as all their forces lay in a circuit of 50 miles, who were 
hourly pouring in numbers, prudence dictated a retreat. This was effected 
on the morning of the 6th, with so much regularity that none of our wounded 
were left. The enemy pursued us twenty miles to the end of the plains and 
attempted to hinder us from entering the woods. This brought on a hot ac- 
tion for an hour, in which the enemy suffered so much, that they never after- 
wards attempted to molest us on our march. We had three killed and six 
wounded in this action. It is impossible for me to ascertain the loss of the 
enemy which was very considerable. Ours amounted in killed and missing to 
30. Among the latter, Colonel Crawford.' " — Pennsylvania Gazette, July 17, 

1782. 

III. 

" Extract of a letter dated Fort Pitt, July 6th, 1782: 

' The expedition formed by Colonel Crawford with about 500 militia I sup- 
pose you have heard of, but now I have it in my power to give you the par- 
ticulars as near as can well be collected. I think it was about the 6th of June, 
they arrived within two or three miles of Upper St. Dusky [Sandusky], an In- 
dian town within 200 miles of Fort Pitt, near a northwest course, where the 
savages lay in ambuscade for them, and a warm action ensued, commencing 
about 3 in the afternoon, but in the utmost disorder ; our people were obliged 
to retreat at dark. The Indians in company with some red-coats, mounted 
horses for speed and overhauled our people at a certain plain, 25 miles from 
the town, where they fought for a consido-abie time, but were again forced to 
make their best way home, the enemy hanging on their rear until they came 
to the Ohio. The details are so irregular it is not easy to ascertain the loss 
on our part, but I believe it is from 50 to 70 missing. Yesterday one Dr. 



376 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

horse secured the entrance of the woods. In less than an hour 
the enemy gave way on all sides and never after attempted to 
molest us any more on our march. "We had three killed and 
eight wounded in this action, besides several missing, who after- 
wards joined us again, before we crossed the Muskingum 
[Tuscarawas] on the 10th instant, between the two upper Mo- 
ravian towns. 

Knight who was taken with Col. Crawfovd arrived here after hving for 21 days 
upon herbs in the woods. He says that five days after they were taken the 
Delaware Indians burnt the Col. with the most excruciating pain, fii'st tied 
him to a long post with room to walk round it, then cut off his ears, after 
that blew squibs of powder on different parts of his body ; then the squaws 
procured hickory bi-ands and darted against such parts as they thought might 
most aft'ect him; they then scalped him and slapped the scalp in the Dr. '3 
face, — told him that was his big captain; the Col. was still alive. This he 
thinks was an hour after the Col. was tied up, when he (the Dr.) was taken 
away. Just as he was leaving him the Col. leaned upon his knee and elbow 
for rest, when a squaw took a shovel of hot embers and threw upon his back 
to put him again in motion. The next day under the guard of one man the 
Dr. passed the same place and saw some of the Col.'s bones in the ashes. The 
Col. he says made little noise; he begged one Simon Girty, whom he formerly 
knew at Fort Pitt, to shoot him, but Girty said with a laugh he had no gun, 
that examples must take place. The Moravian towns were destroyed and in- 
habitants by our militia, and then told the Dr. there were Delaware towns 
which also must have an -example, for which purpose he (the Dr.) must be 
sent there the next day. After one day's journey, with the one man guard- 
ing him, the morning following, the Indian loosed the pinions which bound 
the Dr. and fell to repairing the fire, when the Dr. picked up a stick and tho, 
weak, knocked him almost down and secured his gun, snapped her at the In- 
dian, but could not get her off; however, the Indian ran and the Dr. made his 
escape. He says that the Delawares took nine besides himself and the Colonel; 
that the squaws and children as well as the men were employed in tomahawk- 
ing them till the nine were killed. Such as fell into the hands of the Shaw- 
anese are well treated. The militia are greatly enraged and determined on 
having ample satisfaction.' " — Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Adreftiser, 
July 23, 1782. 

IV. 

" A gentleman from Fort Pitt infomis, that another of Col. Crawford's 
party had escaped from the Indians by slipping from his guards whilst they 
were asleep. He says they tied Col. Harrison, who was taken in the same 
party, and was Col. Crawford's son-in-law, to a stake where they fir^d pow- 
der at him till he died; when they quartered him and left the quarters hang- 
ing on four poles. He adds that about 40 of the party had fallen into tho 
hands of tho savages." — Same, July 27, 1782. 



Appendix M. 377 



The unremitting activity of Colonel "Williamson surmounted 
every obstacle and difficulty, in getting the wounded along. 
Several of them are in a dangerous condition and want imme- 
diate assistance, of which they have been deprived since the 
loss of Dr. Knio^ht. 

V. 

"Extract of a letter from Westmoreland county, Pa., 16 July, 1782: 
' In a former letter T informed you of the unhappy fate of Col. Crawford, 
since which a man has made his escape from the Indians who says that fire 
was made for his torture, when a very heavy rain came on and obliged them 
to defer his execution. During the night he was left tied in the care of three 
Indians who fell asleep ; that he got loose and escaped without waking the 
Indians and arrived here seven days after. He says the Indian from whom 
Dr. Knight escaped came to the town he was in, with his head much cut; that 
the Delawares appUed to the Muncies for Col. Wm. Harrison (son-in-law to 
Crawford), who being given up was tortured in the most cruel manner, they 
having bound him to a stake, fired powder through every part of his skin for 
an hour, after which they cut him in quarters and hung them on stakes. This 
and other similar acts of barbarity the Indians said they did in revenge for the 
murders and robberies committed by our frontier inhabitants on their relations, 
the Moravians; and that in future they would spare none of our people.' " — 
Pennsylvania Packet, July 30, 1782. 

VI. 

"Richmond (Virginia), August 17th. . . After the barbarous massacre 
of Colonel Crawford, as mentioned in one of our late papers, the Delawares 
demanded his son-in-law. Colonel William Harrison, and his nephew [Will- 
iam] Crawford, of the Shawanese, by whom they had been taken; and they 
were accordingly given up. They both experienced the most horrid tortures 
until they were dead. Colonel Harrison was then quartered and stuck up on 
poles. One Slover was to have been put to death in the same manner; the 
fire had been once kindled for him, but a heavy shower of rain falling saved 
his life then, and before the next day he fortunately escaped. ' '— Same, August 

27, 1782. 

VII. 

"Ex'ractof a letter from a gentleman at Quebec, to his friend at Edin- 
burgh, dated July 17, 1782. ' The resolutions of parliament to put an end to 
the American war, are, I am afraid, not transmitted to Canada, for the bloody 
butchery is still carrying on in the upper parts of this province. A Colonel 
Clark, commanding a large party of Americans in the Illinois country, has 
been for some years meditating an attempt upon Fort Detroit, but hitherto 
has always been defeated by the vigilance and activity of the Indians. This 
year Clark had assembled about 4,0)0 men, and by late letters we have heard, 
that he was on his march to Detroit. He had ordered a Major Crawford to 



378 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

Since my arrival here, I find that different small parties 
who were separated from us either by the enemy or by 
fear, are arrived before us. Our loss will not exceed thirty 
men, at a moderate computation, in killed and missing. 
Colonel Crawford has not been heard of since the ni^ht of the 
5th instant, and 1 fear is among the killed. 



XY. — Ievine to Col. Evans. 

Fort Pitt, June 18, 1782. 
Sit: — I received your letter by Mr. Thomas in answer to 
mine of the 5th of April, and have ever since that time ex- 
pected a direct application from you for a supply of ammuni- 
tion, but your silence on that head leads me to think you had 
been provided at some other quarter; however, if you have 
Eot, and will take the trouble to send, I will furnish you with 
some; and, any assistance in my power to afford, you may de- 
pend on. I am informed by the secretary at war of Virginia 
that a company has been sent from Hampshire to your relief 
or assistance. 

advance before his main body, with about 500 men, and they had actually 
reached St. Douskie, in the neighborhood of Detroit, when intelligence was 
brought to Major De Peyster, the commanding officer at the fort. He in- 
stantly collected all the Indians he could, and sent a Mr. Caldwell, a young 
American, with tliem, and a party of regulars, to surprise Major Crawford, 
before he was joined by Clark; he did so effectually, for he completely routed 
the party, and took about two hundred prisoners. The Indians, who were 
the chief actors in this scene, gave over the prisoners to their women, who in- 
stantly tomahawked eveiy man of them with the most horrid circumstances of 
barbarity. It is unusual for the Indians to put their prisoners to death, but 
the Am3ricans had this spring destroyed an Indian village, and put their 
women and children to the sword, for which inhuman act the Indian nations 
are resolved to take full revenge, as Crawford and his party wof ully experi- 
enced." — The Remembrancer (Lond. 1782), Part II, pp. 255, 256. 



Appendix M. 379 



XYL — Captains Robert Beall and Thomas Mooee^ to 

Irvine. 

XiNGS,2 June 23, 1782. 

Sir: — The unfortunate miscarriage of the late expedition 
[under Col. Crawford against Sandusky], the common interest 
of our country, and the loss of our friends, induce us to be 
thus forward in projDosing another — the plan whereof we have 
herewith transmitted to you, the appearance it hath of being 
carried into execution, and our sincere wishes it may meet 
with your approbation. But if conceived impracticable, we 
rest assured some method will be by you adopted to lead us 
into the field where our actions shall more loudly proclaim the 
sentiments of our hearts than words can do here. 

We do not wish to be understood as giving our own private 
sentiments, but those of the people generally in our quarter; 
for which purpose we are authorized to address you. And 
from accounts well authenticated, we assure you it is the wish 
of the people on this side the Monongahela river without a 
dissenting voice. 

Mr. Benjamin Harrison will have the honor of delivering 
this, to whom we refer you for particulars if required, on 
whose information we wish you to depend, as it will be con- 
fined to strict truth.^ 



XVII. — Irvine to Captains Beall and Moore. 

Fort Pitt, June 26, 1782. 
Gentlemen: — I received your favor by Captain Harrison. 
Inclination as well as duty is a continual spur to me not only 
to acquiesce in, but to encourage every measure adopted for 



'Robert Beall and Thomas Moore were captains in tlie Westmoreland 
militia. 

2 " Stewart's Crossings ;" these "Xings" were nearly opposite the present 
town of Connellsville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania. 

* On the 22d of the same month, these men also sent Irvine a proposition 
for "carrying" another expedition against Sandusky (see p. 123, note 2). 
Compare, in this connection, pp. 175, 303, 327, 328. 



380 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

tlie public i^oocl. Your proposals ou this occasion are so truly 
patriotic and spirited, that I should look on myself unpardon- 
able were I to pass them unnoticed. As Captain Harrison is 
in full possession of my ideas on the subject, he can inform 
you better verbally than would perhaps be proper to commit 
fully to paper on some points. Your intention of putting 
yourself under my direction I have a most grateful sense of, 
and you may rest assured ray constant endeavors shall be to 
merit the confidence and esteem of so worthy a body of men 
as those you represent. 

XVIII. — Colonel Evans to Irvine. 

Monongalia County, June 30, 1782. 

Dear Sir: — It is his excellency, the governor's orders to 
me, that for the more effective protection of our western 
frontiers everything relative thereto should be submitted to 
your direction.^ 

I am therefore under the necessity of informing you by ex- 
press of the dangerous situation of our frontiers in this state. 
The enemy are frequently in our settlements murdering, and 
we are situated in so scattering a manner that we are not able 
to assist one another in time of need. There are the Horse- 
Shoe, Tygart's Valley, "West Fork, Dunkard Bottom and 
where I live, to defend; and, in the whole, we have not more 
than three hundred militia fit for duty. Those settlements 
are a very great distance apart, and no one settlement able to 
furnish men to the relief of the others. One article we are 
destitute of — that is provision; we have it not amongst us. 
The company from Hampshire I have stationed at Tj'gart's 
Valley, Horse-Shoe and West Fork. I have got a small sup- 
ply of ammunition from government. 

I pray you may adopt some mode of the men being fur- 
nished with provision, with orders to me for the number of 
men you may think proper to be kept in service. Provision is 
the greatest article and without your assistance I much fear 
our settlements will break. The defeat of Colonel Crawford 

' The same ordei-s from the governor ol! Virginia were sent to David Shep- 
herd, the lieutenant oi: Ohio county (ante, p. 856, note 4). 



Appendix M. 381 



occasions much dread. I fear what will be the event, without 
relief. I must make bold to apply to you for some paper to 
do the public writing on as I am quite without [any]. You 
will please to write your sentiments by the express so that I 
may be enabled [to know] in what manner to act. 



XIX. — Michael IIuffnagle to Irvine. 

Hannastown, July 14, 1782. 

Dear Si?': — At the request of Major Wilson, I am sorry to 
inforiji you that yesterday about two o'clock, this town was at- 
tacked by about one hundred Indians, and in a very little time 
the whole town except two houses was laid in ashes.^ The peo- 
ple retired to the fort where they withstood the attack, which 
was very severe until after dark when they left us. The in- 
habitants here are in a very distressed situation, having lost 
all their property but what clothing they had on. 

At the same time we were attacked here, another party at- 
tacked the settlement. "What mischief they may have done 
we have not been able as yet to know; only that Mr. Hanna, 
here, had his wife and his daughter Jenny taken prisoners. 
Two were wounded — one out of the fort and one in. Lieu- 
tenant Brownlee and one of his children with one White's 
wife and two children were killed about two miles from town. 

This far I wrote you this morning. The express has just re- 
turned and informs that when he came near Brush Run the 
Indians had attacked that place, and he was obliged to return. 
If you consider our situation, with only twenty of the inhab- 
itants, seventeen guns and very little ammunition, to stand 
the attack in the manner we did, you will say that the people 
behaved bravely. I have lost what little property I had here, 
together with my papers. The records of the county, I shall, 
as soon as I can get horses, remove to Pittsburgh, as this place 
will in a few days be vacated. You will please to mention to 
Mr. Duncan to do all he can for the supplying of the garrison 
until I shall be able to get a horse, having lost my horse, sad- 
dle and bridle. 

1 Ante, pp. 250-253, 303; also, post, p. 383. 



382 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 



XX. — Irvine to Colonel Evans. 

Fort Pitt, July 16, 1782. 

Sir: — I did not receive your letter of the 30th of June 
until last night. How an express could be so long on the way 
is unaccountable to me. It is impossible for me to determine 
the number of men that would be necessary for the defense of 
the country you mention, not being acquainted with the situ- 
ation, inroads of the enemy, nor an}' circumstances, except by 
slight information. But as government has already made ar- 
rangements for your defense on your representation, I do not 
wish to make any alteration, as long at least as those arrange- 
ments will answer the end. "When they fail, I will doubtless 
give every assistance in my power. I am sorry, however, to 
inform you that 1 am straitened in all respects. As to pro- 
visions, if they are not in the country, it will be totally out of 
my power to give any assistance. Provisions for all parts of 
the army are now found by contract, at a certain sum for each 
ration; and a long regulation for the mode of issues, and di- 
rections ascertaining what will be vouchers for the contractors, 
are given, which would be too long for a letter. Upon the 
whole, unless you can lind some person who will contract to 
furnish rations, I know not what is to be done. If any such 
person can be found in your quarter, who can give good secur- 
ity for his performance, I will enter into a contract. ISTo 
money is to be advanced, but the contractor is to find the sup- 
plies and will be paid at a time agreed on. For this and other 
purposes, it would be best for you or some other intelligent 
person to come here, whom yon may send, as the business can- 
not be transacted by letter. There is not an ounce of public 
salt now anywhere. The contractors find a proportion of salt 
with the rations. 

P. S, — Inclosed is the present system for issuing provisions, 
which must be invariably adhered to, or the contractors cannot 
be paid.^ 

' These regulations are lengthy and are omitted, as possessing little interest. 



Appendix M. 383 



XXL — Michael Huffnagle to Irvine. 

Hannastown, July 17, 1782, — 4 o'clock, P. M. 

Dear General: — I just this moment received yours by the 
soldier. I should have sent you an express on Saturday night, 
but could get no person to go, as the enemy did not entirely 
leave us until Sunday morning. A party of about sixty of 
our people went out last Monday and found where they were 
encamped within a mile of this place. And from the appear- 
ance of the camp they must have staid there all day Sunday. 
We have had parties out since and find their route to be towards 
the Kiskiminetas and that they have a large number of horses 
with them. They have likewise killed about one hundred head 
of cattle and horses and have only left about half a dozen 
horses for the inhabitants here. 

Last Sunday morning, the enemy attacked at one Freeman's 
upon Loyalhanna, killed his son and took two daughters 
prisoners. From the best account I can collect, they have killed 
and taken twenty of the inhabitants hereabouts and burn and 
destroy as they go along. I take the liberty of mentioning if 
a strong party could follow that they might still be come up 
with them; having so much plunder and so many horses with 
them, I imagine they will go slow. As for the country rousing 
and following them, I am afraid we need not put any depend- 
ence on it; as several parties, some of thirty, others of fifty 
[men], would come in on Sunday and Monday last and stay 
about one hour, pity our situation, and push home again. 

I am much afraid that the scouting parties stationed at the 
different posts have not done their duty. We discovered 
where the enemy had encamped and they must have been 
there for at least about ten days; as they had killed several 
horses and eat them about six miles from Brush run and right 
on the way towards Barr's fort. This morning about four 
miles from this place towards the Loyalhanna one of the 
men from this fort discovered four Indians whom he took to 
be spies. 

I have mentioned to the inhabitants the subject of making 



38^ Washington-Ii'vine Correspondence. 

a stand here. Tliej are willing to do everything in their 
power if assistance conld be given them. It will take at least 
fifty men to keep a guard in the garrison and guard the people 
to get in their little crops, which ought to be done immedi- 
ately; otherwise, they will be entirely lost. By a small party 
that returned last evening, I am informed from the different 
camps they saw, there must at least have been about two hun- 
dred of the enemy; and from the different accounts we have 
from all quarters, it seems that they had determined to make 
a general attack upon the frontiers. 

Sheriff Jack has been kind enough to let me have a horse; 
to-morrow morning, I shall set out, and in a few days shall 
supply you with some whisky and cattle. I have just this 
moment been informed that Kichard Wallace and one Ander- 
son who were with Lochry, made their escape from Montreal 
and have arrived safe in this neighborhood. As soon as I shall 
be able to procure what intelligence they have, I shall inform 
you. 

P. S. — The inhabitante of this place having lost what pro- 
visions they had, they made application to me to supply them 
with some. I had a quantity of flour and some meat. I took 
the liberty of supplying them and hope it will meet with your 
approbation; and when I shall see you [you can] give me par- 
ticular directions for that purpose. 



XXII. — Irvine to Mrs. Mary "Willard. 

Fort Pitt, July 21, 1782. 
Jl/ff67<2m.' —The bearer informs me you have sent him to 
apply for the Indian to be delivered up to yon who killed 
your family.^ You know I offered to deliver him on your 

' " In Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania), about the year 1782, one evening just in 
the twihght, there was found sitting in a porch, an Indian with a hght pole 
in his hand. He spoke in broken EngUsh to the person of the house who 
first came out, and asked for milk. Tlae person (a girl) ran in and returning 
with others of the family they came to see what it was that had something 
like the appearance of a human skeleton. He was to the last degree emaci- 



Appendix M. 385 



other application, but through the advice of some of your 
friends, because you had some hope your daughter was not 
killed, 3'ou chose to have him remain with me to try to get 
her exchanged for him. In addition to your husband, you are 

ated, with scarcely the semblance of flesh upon his bones. One of his limbs 
had been wounded; and it had been on one foot and by the help of the pole 
that he had made his way to this place. Being jjuestioned, he appeared too 
weak to give an account of himself, but asked for milk, which was given him, 
and word sent to the commanding officer of the garrison at tha.t place (General 
William Irvine), who sent a guard and had him taken to the garrison. After 
having had food and now being able to give some account of himself, he was 
questioned by the interpreter (Joseph Nicholson). He related that he had been 
on Beaver river trapping, and had a difference with a Mingo Indian who had 
shot him in the leg, because he had said he wished to come to the white 
people. 

"Being told that this was not credible, but that he must tell the truth, and 
that in so doing he would fare the better, he gave the following account, to 
wit: that he was one of a party which had struck the settlement in the last 
moon, and attacked a fort, and killed some and took some prisoners. 

" This appeared to be a fort known by the name of Waltour's fort by the 
account which he gave, which is at the distance of twenty-three miles from 
the town on the Pennsylvania road towards Philadelphia, and within eight 
miles of what is now Greensburg. He stated that it was there that he 
received his wound. 

"The fact was that the old man Waltour, his daughter and two sons were 
at work in the field, having their guns at some distance, and which they 
seized, on the appearance of the Indians, and made towards the fort. This 
was one of those stockades or block-houses to which a few families of the 
neighborhood collected in times of danger, and going to their fields in the 
day returned at night to this place of security. 

" These persons in the field were pursued by the Indians and the young 
woman taken. The old man with his son kept up a fire as they retreated and 
had got to the distance of about an hundred and fifty yards from the fort 
when the old man fell. An Indian had got upon him and was about to take 
his scalp, when one in the fort directing his rifle, fired upon the Indian who 
made a horrid yell and made oft', limping on one foot. This was in fact the 
very Indian, as it now appeared, that had come to the town. He confessed 
the fact, and said, that on the party with which he was, being pursued, he had 
hid himself in the bushes a few yards from the path, along which the people 
from the fort in pursuit of them came. After the mischief was done, a party 
of our people had pursued the Indians to the Alleghany river, tracing their 
course, and had found the body of the youmg woman whom they had taken 
prisoner but had tomahawked and left. The Indian, as we have said, contin- 
uing his story to the interpreter, gave us to understand that he lay three days 
without moving from the place where he first threw himself into the bushes, 
25 



8S6 Washingtoji-Irvine Correspondence. 

now certain she is killed; you, therefore, wish to retaliate your 
vengeance on him, not considering there are numbers of peo- 
ple in the same situation as yourself. 

Some of your near neighbors at Hannastown are killed and 

until a pursuit might be over, lest he should be tracked ; that after this he 
had got along on his hands and feet, until he found this pole in the marsh 
which he had used to assist him, and in the mean time had lived on berries 
and roots; that he had come to a post some distance, and thought of giving 
himself up, and lay all day on a hill above the place thinking whether he 
would or not, but seeing that they were all militia men and no regulars, he 
did not venture. 

"The Indians well knew the distinction between regulars and militia, and 
from these last they expect no quarter. 

■'The post of which he spoke was about twelve miles from Pittsburgh on 
the Pennsylvania road at the crossings of what is called Turtle creek. It 
was now thirty-eight days since the affair of Waltour's fort, and during that 
time this miserable creature had subsisted on plants and roots and had made 
his way on one foot by the help of the pole. According to his account, 
he had first attempted a course to his own country by crossing the Alleghany 
river a considerable distance above the town, but strength failing to accom- 
plish this, he had wished to gain the gan-ison where the regular troops were; 
having been at this place before the war; and, in fact, he was now known to 
Bome of the garrison by the name of Davy. I saw the Indian in the garrison 
after his confession, some days, and was struck with the endeavors of the 
creature to conciliate good-will by smiling and affecting placability and a 
friendly disposition. 

"The question now was what to do with him. From the mode of war 
carried on by the savages, they are not entitled to the laws of nations. But 
are we not bound by the laws of nature, to spare those that are in our power ; 
and does not our right to put to death cease, when an enemy ceases to have 
it in his power to injure us. This diahle boitieux, or devil on two sticks, as 
they may be called — his leg and his pole — would not seem to be likely to come 
to war again, 

"In the mean time the widow [Mrs. Mary Willard] of the man who had 
been killed at Waltour's fort and mother of the young woman who had been 
taken prisoner and found tomahawked, accompanied by a deputation of the 
people of the settlement, came to the garrison, and addressing themself to 
the commanding officer, demanded that the Indian should be delivered up 
that it might be done with him, as the widow and mother and relations of 
the deceased should think proper. After much deliberation, and the country 
being greatly dissatisfied that he was spared, and a great clamour j revailing 
through the settlement, it was thought advisable to let them take him, and 
he was accordingly delivered up to the militia of the party which came to 
demand him. He was put upon a horse and carried off with a view to take 
him to the spot where the first mischief had been done (Waltour's fort). 



Appendix M. 387 



it is said some of them are prisoners. Yon ought, therefore, 
to consult the feelings of others as well as your own and do 
nothing rashly till you have the advice of the justices of the 
peace and principal inhabitants of the country. To these I 

But, as they were carrying him along, his leg, the fracture of which by this 
time was almost healed, the surgeon of the garrison having attended to it, 
was broken again by a fall from the horse which had happened some way in 
the carrying him. The intention of the people was to summon a jury of the 
country and try him, at least for the sake of form, but, as they alleged, in 
order to ascertain whether he was the identical Indian that had been of the 
party of Waltour's fort ; though it is not very probable he would have had 
an impartial trial, there having been a considerable prepossession against him. 

The circumstance of being an Indian would have been sufficient evi- 
dence to condemn him. The idea was, in case of a verdict against him, 
which seemed morally certain, to execute him, according to the Indian man- 
ner, by torture and burning. For the fate of [Colonel William] Crawford 
and others, was at this time in the minds of the people, and they thought 
retaliation a principle of natural justice. But while the jury were collecting, 
some time must elapse, that night at least; for he was brought to the fort, or 
block-house in the evening. Accordingly, a strong guard was appointed to 
take care of him, while, in the mean time, one who had been deputed sheriff, 
went to summon a jury, and others to collect wood and materials for the 
burning, and to fix upon the place, which was to be the identical spot where 
he had received his wound, while about to scalp the man whom he had shot 
in the field, just as he was raising the scalp halloo, twisting his hand in the 
hair of the head, and brandishing his scalping-knife. It is to be presumed 
that the guard may be said to have been off their guard somewhat on account 
of the lameness of the prisoner, and the seeming impossibility that he could 
escape; but so it was, that while engaged in conversation on the burning that 
was to take place, or by some other means inattentive, he had climbed up at a 
remote corner of the block-house, where he was, and got to the joists, and 
thence upon the wall- plate of the block-house, and thence as was supposed 
got down on the outside between the roof and the wall-plate; for the block- 
house is so constructed that the roof overjuts the wall of the block-house, 
resting on the ends of the joists that piotrude a foot or two beyond the wall, 
for the purpose of those within firing down upon the Indians, who may 
approach the house to set fire to it, or attempt the door. But so it was that, 
towards morning, the Indian was missed, and when the jury met, there was 
no Indian to be brought before them. Search had been made by the guard 
every where, and the jury joined in the search, and the militia went out in 
all directions, in order to track his course and regain the prisoner. But no 
discovery could be made, and the guard were much blamed for the want of 
vigilance; though some supposed that he had been let go on the princi- 
ple of humanity that they might not be under the necessity of burning him. 

The search had been abandoned, but three days, when a lad looking for 



388 Washington-Ti'vine Corresjpondence. 

deliver him [the Indian], particularly. On his arrival with 
you, you will have the justices of the peace sent to and re- 
quested to attend on a certain day; on which day several 
militia officers and other inhabitants will likewise attend, when 



his horses, saw an Indian with a pole or long stick, just getting on one of them 
by the help of a log or trunk of a fallen tree ; he had made a bridle of bark 
as it appeared which was on the horse's head and with which and his stick 
guiding the horse he sot off at a smart trot, in a direction towards the frontier 
of the settlement. The boy was afraid to discover himself, or reclaim his 
horse, but ran home and gave the alarm, on which a party in the course of 
the day was collected and set out in pursuit of the Indian. They tracked the 
horse until it was dark, and were then obliged to lie by; but in the morning 
taking it again, they tracked the horse as before, but found the course varied 
taking into branches of streams to prevent pursuit, and which greatly delayed 
them, requiring a considerable time tracing the stream and to find where the 
horse had taken the bank and come out; sometimes taking along hard ridges, 
though not directly in his course, where the tracks of the horse could not be 
seen; in this manner he had got on to the Alleghany river where they found 
the horse with the bark bridle, where he app3ai'ed to have been left but a 
short time before. The sweat was scarcely dry upon his sides; for the weather 
was warm and he appeared to have been ridden hard; the distance he had 
come was about ninety miles. It was presumed the Indian had swam the 
river, into the uninhabited (and what was then called the Indian) country, 
where it was unsafe for the small party that were in pursuit to follow. 

" After the war, I took some pains to inform myself whether he had made 
his way good to the Indian towns, the nearest of which was Sandusky, at the 
distance of about two hundred miles; but it appeared that, after all his efforts, 
he had been unsuccessful, and had not reached home. He had been drowned 
in the river or famished in the woods, or his broken limb had occasioned his 
death." — H. H. Brackenridge. 

The following account, written by Ephraim Douglass at Fort Pitt (see Penn. 
Mag. of Hist, and Biog., vol. I., pp. 46-48), gives particulars, also, of the 
escape of the " pet Indian ": 

" Pittsburgh, Jithj 26, 1782. 

*' My Dear General: . . . Some three months ago, or thereabouts, a 
party of Indians made a stroke (as it is called in our country phrase) at a 
station [Waltour's] distinguished by the name of the owner of the place, 
Wolthower's (or, as near as I can come to a German name), when they killed 
an old man and his sons, and captivated [captured] one of his daughters. 

" This massacre was committed so near the fort that the people from within 
fired upon the Indians so successfully as to wound several and prevent their 
scalping the dead. The girl was carried to within about six miles of this place, 
up the Alleghany river, where her bones were afterwards found with manifest 
marks on her skull of having been then knocked on the head and scalped. One 



■ Appendix M. 389 

doubtless some form of trial will be gone into. I have en- 
joined the people who have charge of him not to suffer him 
to be hurt till this is done.^ If after all due deliberation it is 
thought most expedient to spare his life for the present in 
furtherance of political purposes, and it will be inconvenient 
to secure him, he must be brought back here where he shall 
be kept safe for further investigation. 

of the Indians who had been wounded in the leg, unable to make any consider- 
able way and in this conditioned deserted by his companions, after subsisting 
himself upon the spontaneous productions of the woods for more than thirty 
successive days, crawled into this village in the most miserable plight conceiv- 
able. He was received by the military and carefully guarded till about five 
days ago, when, at the reiterated request of the relations of those unfortunate 
people whom he had been employed in murdering, he was delivered to four or 
five countri/ tvarriors deputed to receive and conduct him to the place which 
had been the scene of his cruelties, distant about twenty-five miles. The 
wish, and perhaps the hope of getting some of our unfortunate captives re- 
stored to their friends for the release of this wretch, and the natural repug- 
nance every man of spirit has to sacrificing uselessly the life of a fellow- 
creature whose hands are tied, to the resentment of an unthinking rabble, 
inclined the general to have his life spared, and to keep him still in close con- 
finement. He was not delivered without some reluctance, and a peremptory 
forbiddance to put him to death without the concurrence of the magistrate 
and most respectable inhabitants of the district; they carried him, with 
every mark of exultation, away. Thus far, I give it you authentic; and this 
evening, one of the inhabitants returned to town, from Mr. Wolthower's 
neighborhood, who finishes the history of our pet Indian (so he was ludi- 
crously called) in this manner: That a night or two ago, when his guards, as 
they ought to be, were in a profound sleep, our Indian stole a march upon 
them and has not since been seen or heard of. 

" I may, perhaps, give you the sequel of this history another day; at present, 
I bid you good-night; my eyes refuse to light me any longer. 

, "Pittsburgh, 4th of August, 1782. 

'^ Dear Sir: To continue my narrative — our pet Indian is certainly gone; 
he was seen a day or two after the night of his escape very well mounted, 
and has not since been seen or heard of ; the heroes, however, who had him in 
charge, or some of their friends or connection, ashamed of such egregious 
stupidity, and desirous of being thought barbarous murderers rather than 
negligent block-heads, have propagated several very different reports concern- 
ing his supposed execution, all of them believed to be as false as they are 
ridiculous. . . . Ephkaim Douglass. 

" To Gen'l James Irvine." 

* The following was the order issued by Irvine: 

" You are hereby enjoined and required to take the Indian delivered into 
your charge by my order, and carry him safe into the settlement of Brush 



390 Washington- Irvine Corresjpondenee. 



XXIII. — Ebenezer Zane^ to Ikvine. 

Wheeling, Juhj 22, 1782. 

Sir: — I applied to Colonel Marshel for powder to f ncnish 
this garrison of that you have sent to Mingo Bottom. He 
tells me it is already issued to the militia, which lays us under 
the aiecessity of applying once more to you for thirty or forty 
pounds. Any powder you now furnish for the use of this 
garrison I will undertake to account for and replace if not 
burnt at the enemy. 

Five militia are all the strength we have at present, except 
the inhabitants of the place. A few Indians have been view- 
ing our garrison yesterday and have returned on their back 
track, in consequence of which we may shortly expect an 
attack. If any aid can be afforded, it will be very acceptable; 
if it cannot, we mean to support the place or perish in the 
attempt. 

XXIY. — LiETJT.-CoL. Stephen Bayakd to Col. McCleery. 

August 4, 1782. 
Sir: — I have sent you by the bearer, "William Hathaway, 
eight pounds powder and sixteen pounds lead for the partic- 
ular use of Jackson's fort, which is all I could undertake to 
send in the general's [Irvine's] absence, who marches this 
morning with a party of regulars toward the Mingo Bottom.^ 

creek. You will afterward warn two justices of the peace, and request their 
attendance at such place as they shall think proper to appoint, with several 
other reputable inhabitants. Until this is done and their advice and direction 
had in the matter, you are, at your peril, not to hurt him nor suffer any per- 
son to do it. Given under my hand at Fort Pitt, July 21, 1782. 

" To Joseph Studibaker, Francis Birely, Jacob Rudolph, Jacob Birely, Henry 
Willard, and Frederick Willard." 

' Ebenezer Zane was born in Berkeley county, Virginia, October 7, 1747, 
and died in 1811. At an early day, he emigrated to the west and settled on 
the site of the present city of Wheeling, West Virginia. 

^The following letter explains the reason for Irvine's march: 

"Pittsburgh, August 4, 1782. 

*' Ml/ Dear General: — . . . The Indians appear at length to have taken 
up the business of killing us in good earnest. Within this week, they made 
an attempt (happily a fruitless one) within a mile and a half of this place, 
upon a number of people — whites and slaves at work in the cornfield of a 



Ajp^pendix M. 391 



When he returns, you will no doubt be supplied with ammu- 



nition for the rangers.^ 



gentleman living in town [Pittsburgh]. They were pursued without success. 
Since this, they have' been frequently seen in our neighborhood and have 
killed several within a few miles of us. The general [William Irvine] has 
had so many alarming accounts by expresses from Washington county of 
the numbers and probable designs of the savages at or toward Wheeling 
that this morning he marched in person with so many of his regulars as he 
thought prudent to take from the defense of this post, in order to join a 
body of militia or volunteers assembled for the purpose. With these, he 
means to make a trial of the spirit of the Indians; and, from the com- 
plexion of the commander and forwardness of the troops, I think he will 
push them hard if they stay his arrival. The number of the enemy is esti- 
mated at about one hundred. The gentleman who first viewed them and 
made this computation was Major [Samuel] McCullogh [McColloch], a militia 
officer of invincible spirit and acknowledged enterprise. On his first dis- 
covery of them, they had not yet crossed the river. He returned to a neigh- 
boring fort, from whence he wrote letters to apprise the country, and at the 
same time communicated it [sic] to the county lieutenants. [See Marshel 
to Irvine, July 30, 1782, ante, p. 306.] Still desirous of keeping a strict watch 
upon their motions, he returned towards the river with his brother and some 
others accompanying him. In his way, he came upon the track of some of 
the en my who had crossed the river, and having penetrated some distance 
into the country were now on their return; in all probability, they had discov- 
ered McCuUogh's party, for, having with their usual artfulness made a double 
upon, and way-laid their own track, they fired upon them undiscovered, and 
the unfortunate major lost his life, justly regretted by all who know his 
character. The rest of the little party fled, but not till the brother of the 
unfortunate had shot the Indian who attempted to scalp him. About the 
same time, two young men were fired upon in a canoe almost within sight of 
Wheeling (Milnes and Smith), the latter wounded in the flesh of his thigh, 
the other's thigh broken by one of the thirteen balls that entered his body 
and limbs; they were both alive when the accounts came away. . . . 

"Ephraim Douglass. 
"To Gen. James Irvine." — [Pemi. Mag. of Hist, and Blog., Vol. 1, 
p. 48. For a biographical sketch of McColloch, see Doddridge's Notes (new 
ed.), p. 301 ] 

'Col. William McCleery was one of the sub-lieutenants of Washington 
county( ante, p. 279, note 1). He wrote the following letter to Irvine which 
called out, in the general's absence, the letter of Col. Bayard above: 

"Traveller's Rest, Washington County, August 3, 1782. 
" Dear Sir: — The bearer will call upon you for powder, lead and flints for 
the use of the ranging company allotted for the defense of our frontiers [two 
months] the time proposed for their contmuance. 

" Permit me to observe that a small magazine kept at this place for the 
purpose of furnishing those men men that may be called upon to repel the 



392 Washington-Ifvlne Correspondence. 



XXY. — Brig.-Gen. George Rogers Clakk^ to Iuvine. 

Fort Nelson,^ August 10, 1782. 
Sir: — By Major Walls, I learn that you intend to make a 
grand push against the enemy on the lakes this fall,^ which 

enemy from time to time, should they penetrate into our settlements, would 
render essential service both to ourselves and country. I intended to have 
consulted you upon this matter at Catfish [ante, p. 303, note 1], but in the 
hurry and confusion of that day, it was neglected. However, should you 
think such a proceeding consistent, you will be good enough to augment the 
quantity allotted for the rangers, so as I may be enabled to furnish for the 
above purposes. At the same time, please to observe that men living in 
the woods, exposed to the weather (as these rangers must be), will need more 
ammunition than those stationed at a garrison. Also, be good enough to 
order us good rifle powder, as that sent me before was really bad. I should be 
glad if you would write me by the return of this express, the situation of 
matters relative to the late incursion of the enemy. Inclosed I have sent your 
newspapers, whicli I forgot to return to you at Catfish." 

' George Rogers Clark was born in Albemarle county, Virginia, on the 19th 
of November, 1752. He was originally a land surveyor. He commanded a 
company in Dunmore's war of 1774. The year following, he went to Ken- 
tucky and took command of the armed settlers there. In the spring of 1778, 
Major Clark was entrusted with the command of an expedition against the 
Illinois country, then in possession of the British. The enterprise was under- 
taken under the auspices of Virginia, and was entirely successful. He was 
promoted to a colonelcy by the authorities of his native stat-^, and while 
engaged in a pacification of the Indian tribes upon or near the Mississippi, he 
learned that Lieutenant Governor Henry Hamilton, of Detroit, had captured 
Vincennes, and that further blows were to be struck against American posts. 
Anticipating the enemy, Colonel Clark marched, on the 7th of February, 1779, 
with one hundred and seventy-five men, against Vincennes. He had to1;rav- 
erse a wilderness and the drowned lands of Illinois, suffering every privation 
from wet, cold and hunger. Vincennes surrendered. Hamilton wa^ made 
prisoner and sent to Virginia. In August, 1780, Clark led a force against the 
Shawanese Indians, located upon the waters of the Mad river, in what is now 
the state of Ohio, defeating them with considerable loss. During Arnold's 
invasion, he took a temporary command under Baron Steuben. His next 
enterprise was directed against Detroit, the site of the present city of that 
name in the state of Michigan. He was now a brigadier general. This expe- 
dition proved a failure. (Ante, pp. 53, 76, etc.) In the fall of 1782, he made 
a successful campaign from Kentucky against the Indians (see, letters, p. 401), 
but upon a like service in 1786, was unsuccessful. He died near Louisville, 
Kentucky, February 13, 1818. 

'At Louisville, Kentucky. 

* Referring to General Irvine's contemplated expedition against Sandusky. 



Appendix M. 393 



information occasions me to send this express to know of you 
the time jou march and what is your object. If you will be 
so good as to favor me with such intelligence it may be much 
to the public interest, as it will be in our power to make a 
diversion much in favor of you if nothing intervenes to pre- 
vent us.* 



XXVI. — Brig.-Gen. Edward Stevens^ to Irvine. 

YiRGiNiA, CuLPEPER CouRT HousE, August 25, 1782. 
Sir: — In consequence of the information that the execu- 
tive of this state has received respecting the apprehensions 
that Fort Pitt, in a little time, will be invested by an army of 
English and Indians, the governor has ordered a body of 
militia in the most convenient counties to hold themselves in 
readiness to march at the shortest notice (in case of necessity) 
to the relief of that place. And as I am appointed to the 
command of these men, I think it necessary that a correspond- 
ence should be opened between the commanding officer there 
and myself, as my movements altogether will be governed by 
the intelligence I may receive from that quarter. 

' What Clark refers to here is, a contemplated march against the Shawanese 
upon the upper waters of the Great Miami river, in the western part of what 
is now the state of Ohio. This letter was received by Irvine, Sept. 2, 1782. 

^ Edward Stevens was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, in 1745, and 
died at his seat there, August 17, 1820. At the commencement of the revo- 
lution, he commanded with distinction a battalion of riflemen at the battle of 
Great Bridge, near Norfolk, Virginia. He was soon after made colonel of the 
10th Virginia regiment, with which he joined Washington. At the battle of 
Brandy wine, September 11, 1777, by his gallant exertions, he saved a part of 
the army from capture, checked the enemy, and secured the retreat. He also 
distinguished himself at German town; and, being made a brigadier general 
of Virginia militia, fought at Camden, also Guilford Court House, where his 
skilful dispositions were exceedingly serviceable to the army, and where, 
though severely wounded in the thigh, he brought off his troops in good 
order. General Greene bestowed on him marked commendation. At York- 
town, he performed important duties; and all through the war he possessed a 
large share of the respect and confidence of Washington. He was a member 
of the state senate from the adoption of the state constitution until 1790. 



394' Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 



XXYII. — Ikvine to Brig.-Gen. Stevens. 

FoKT Pitt, Septemler 3, 1782. 

Sir: — I have received your favor of the 25th ult. About 
the middle of July, appearances were threatening.^ Ilanna's, a 
county town, was attacked and burned, and a number of the 
inhabitants killed and taken. At the same time, Wheeling 
was, in some degree, blockaded; a large body of Indians kept 
skulking about it for five or six days. In short, they appeared 
almost in every quarter, and the people of the county were 
alarmed beyond conception. Since the first of August, every 
thing has been perfectly quiet. As I am not apprised at pres- 
ent of the enemj^'s intentions against this place, except what 
Governor Harrison and your letters contain, I am at a loss to 
know whether congress or the secretary of war ground their 
fears on the alarming accounts received from here in July, 
or on intelligence from some other quarter. Should we be 
threatened with danger or the enemy make actual approaches, 
you shall have the earliest information in my power; your 
aid, in that case, will be much wanted and of course very 
acceptable. 

I have been meditating for some time an excursion into the 
Indian country. If effected, my troops will be chiefly vohin- 
teer militia of the country, who propose, on this occasion, not 
only to equip and feed themselves, but also to provide provis- 
ions for sucli continental troops as I shall be able to take from 
this post. If we succeed, I hope it will nearly put an end to 
the Indian war in this quarter. I am made the more sanguine 
in this business by an express last night from General Clark,^ 
in order to concert measures for a descent from his quarter at 
the same time. 

' "Every new day produces events worse than the past, besides a thousand 
false and groundless reports attended with all the evil consequences to the 
defenseless and terrified inhabitants that the reality of thoni could produce; 
our settlements are almost every day contracted and every new frontier more 
timid than the last." — EphraUn Doiif/lass. 

^ See Clark to Irvine, August 10, 1782, p. 392. 



Appendix M. 395 



XXYIII. — Irvine to Captain Hugh "Willt.^ 

Fort Pitt, Septemler 8 [IS?],^ 1782. 

Sir: — You will please to take John Freeman, a negro (a 
deserter from the enemy), in charge, and as his character is 
rather suspicious, you will not let him escape, at least till you 
get over the mountain.^ He says his master lives in the state 
of New York; and, as it will be proper he should be sent to 
him, I mean to have inquiry made in the course of this winter, 
into the truth of his assertion. In the mean time, you may 
keep him and make him work for his maintenance until you 
receive further direction from me. But, in case of accident to 
me, so that you receive no instructions before the first of 
March next, you will, in that case, please to advertise him in 
the public papers, in order that his master (if he has any) may 
have a fair chance of reclaiming- him. 

P. S. — If the fellow should prove refractory or difficult to 
be dealt with, you had best send him to Carlisle jail, there to 
be advertised or dealt with according to law.* 

' Willy was a captain of militia, doubtless from Cumberland county, sent 
over the mountains to Irvine. (See, post, Willy to Irvine, October 4, 1782.) 
Irvine's letter was probably directed to him at Hannastown. 

^ Irvine in copying this letter has made a mistake in the date ; for, in his 
communication to Lincoln of September 12, 1782 (ante, p. 182), he says that 
the militia of York and Cumberland had not arrived. So, also, in his letter 
the day after, to Moore (p. 256), he says: "I could almost wish the miUtia 
may not come up." It probably was written the 18th of Septem'^er. 

^ It is probable that this was the deserter mentioned by Marshel in his letter 
to Irvine of September 16, 1782 (ante, p. 315). 

* " Pennsylvania provided for the gradual abolishment of slavery within her 
borders by the act of March 1, 1780, the immortal preamble to which is said 
to have been written by George Bryan, vice president of the supreme executive 
council, member of the legislature, and subsequently a judge of the supreme 
court. A section of the act provided for the registration on or before Novem- 
ber 1, 1780, of all slaves; the registry to contain the name, occupation and 
residence of the owner, and the name, age and sex of the slave. 

" Owing to the fact that the boundary controversy was still unsettled, and 
that the people of Westmoreland and Washington counties were still subject 
to and recognizing a divided jurisdiction, no attention was paid to the matter 
until, on April 18, 1782, a special act was passed upon the petition of tlie 
inhabitants of those counties, one provision of which extended the time of the 



396 WasJdngton-Irvine Correspondence. 



XXIX. — Ikvine to General Clark. 

Fort Pitt, September 9, 1782. 
Si7\' — I received j^our favor of the lOtli of August, eight 
days ago. My reason for detaining your express so long was, 
if possible, to inform you positively what you might depend 
on from us; — as the passage may be precarious, I must refer 
you for full information to Messrs. Sullivan and Floyd. Being 
informed by Major Craig that you are scarce of three-pound 
shot, I have sent you fifty. And you will also receive the 
latest newspapers for your amusement. 



XXX. — Robert Magaw ^ to Irvine. 

Philadelphia, Septemher 10, 1782. 
Dear Sir: — Though I have but a few minutes to write, I 
could not miss the opportunity by Mr. Parkison to inform 
you briefly of our proceedings which I know will give you 
pleasure. The house on reading some memorials from your 
quarter and Northumberland stating the distressed state of the 
frontiers took the same under consideration and appointed me, 
with General Potter^ deputed by council, to wait on his excel- 
lency, General Washington. "VVe found him at Verplank's 
Point, at which place he had arrived the day before with the 
army from West Point. They are composed of the Jersey, 
New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts 

registration of slaves to January 1, 1783. I have before me the original of 
the registry of slaves of Washington county, — a venerable looking document. 
It is headed, 'Washington County: List of Negroes R('gistered Pursuant to 
the Late Act of Assembly for Redress of Certain Grievances in the Counties of 
Westmoreland and Washington.' " — Boyd Crumrine, in The Washington 
(Pa.) Observer, August 11, 1881. 

'Magaw, of Carlisle, was member of the Pennsylvania assembly from 
Cumberland county. He was commissioned major, June 25, 1775, promoted 
to colonel of the fifth Pennsylvania regiment, January 3, 1776; taken pris- 
oner November 16. following; was exchanged October 25th, 1780. He died 
at Carlisle, January 7, 1790. 

^ James Potter was vice president of the supreme executive council of 
Pennsylvania, having been elected to that office November 14, 1781. 



Appendix M. 397 

lines. I dare say no troops were ever in better clothing or in 
higher discipline. His excellency readily agreed to spare the 
recruits of this state and Hazen's regiment now at Lancaster, 
in concert with volunteers and militia, to form two expeditions 
into the Indian country; the one to consist of twelve hundred 
men under your command against the Delaware and "Wyandot 
towns; the other under Colonel Richard Butler or General 
Hazen against some of the Genesee towns on Susquehanna 
waters. 

I begin to fear as many regular troops will not be sent you 
as I could wish. It is talked by the minister at war to send 
you Ilazen's regiment, consisting of about three hundred men. 
They are the best disciplined troops, but those of Pennsyl- 
vania would I think be more agreeable to you and more num- 
erous; but the internal strength and ardor of your country is 
much counted on. However, this matter will not be finally 
settled before Monday. His excellency, General AVashington, 
has given no direction in the matter, but informed us that the 
two New Hampshire regiments were at Saratoga and German 
Flats; and, in case he was not obliged to call them to his assist- 
ance, they should be employed to call the attention of the 
enemy as much as possible to that quarter. 

There is no money in the treasury and none with the array; 
and we have appropriated last winter all our resources to the 
requisitions of congress; and have not a shilling now in our 
power but live thousand pounds we have borrowed of the bank 
for the sole purpose of the extra expenses of those expeditions, 
for which the financier will give us credit, though he can give 
us no assistance in money, being from hand to mouth in sup- 
plying provisions, taxes come in so slowly. 

Excuse this hasty scrawl and expect to hear from me more 
fully in a few days. 

XXXI. — Ebenezer Zane to Irvine. 

Wheeling, September 17, 1782. 
^^>; — On the evening of the 11th instant, a body of the 
enemy appeared in sight of our garrison. They immediately 



398 WasMngton-Irmne Correspondence. 

formed their lines round the garrison, paraded British colors, 
and demanded the fort to be surrendered, which was refused. 
About twelve o'clock at night, they ruslied hard on the pickets 
in order to storm, but were repulsed. They made two other 
attempts to storm before day, but to no purpose. 

About 8 o'clock next morning, there came a negro from them 
to us and informed us that their force consisted of a British 
captain and forty regular soldiers and two hundred and sixty 
Indians. The enemy kept a continual fire the whole day. 
About ten o'clock at night, they made a fourth attempt to 
storm to no better purpose than the former. The enemy con- 
tinued around the garrison until the morning of the 13th in- 
stant, when they disappeared. Our loss is none. Daniel 
Sullivan, who arrived here in the first of the action, is wounded 
in the foot. 

I believe they have driven the greatest part of our stock 
away, and might, I think, be soon overtaken. 



XXXII. — Irvine to General Clark. 

Fort Pitt, Octoher 3, 1782. 
Sir: — Since I dispatched Mr. Floyd, sundry obstacles have 
intervened to prevent my moving at the time proposed. I 
have therefore thought proper to send this express as well to 
inform you of the causes of my detention that you may know 
what to depend on, as of my present expectations and views. 
If he cannot arrive at the Falls [Louisville] in time, I flatter 
myself he will meet you and perhaps at such a place as it may 
be no great inconvenience for you to halt a few days, in case 
that step should appear expedient on his account of my inten- 
tions. I cannot be more explicit for reasons I mentioned in 
my former letter,- and must refer you to the bearer or his 
companions— Mr. Tate and James Amberson. You mfiy credit 
what they inform you for me. I have promised them you will 
give them provision while they remain and assist them to re- 
turn if necessary. 



Ajpjpendix If. 399 



I presume much will depend on keeping good time; — I 
mean that one should not be long before the other.^ 



XXXIII. — Captain "Willy to Irvine. 

Hannastown, October 4, 1782. 

Sir: — I had the honor to receive your letter of the 21st ult., 
and acknowledge your goodness in supplying us with the am- 
munition which I wrote for. The kettles were not brought, 
which I believe must have been the neglect of the express. 
We have not been able to make any provision for an expedi- 
tion, as the men have no money with them, and indeed if they 
had it would be a hard matter to procure leather for moccasins. 
The men are also exceedingly ill prepared with clothing for 
cold weather, which must soon be expected. 

Our county lieutenant 2 informed me that our business would 
be scouting on the frontier, which was the means of our coming 
out in the most light order that the season would admit of. 
"We have been reasonably well supplied 'with provisions since 
a few days after our arrival here; and I keep out a scout of 
between twenty and thirty men on the frontier. I labor under 
some difficulties which I would take it as a singular favor if 
the general would indulge me with his opinion of. There was 
a packhorseman sent with us to carry our little baggage to 
this post and my orders were to discharge him when I arrived 
here; but when I found the difficulty of getting flour and that 
grain could be got ground by carrj'ing about forty miles and 
no horses could be employed here, I ventured to detain him 
awhile; and from your verbal orders to me I have kept him 
yet. The contractors refuse paying him for any time but 
when he is actually carrying for them, and the man cannot 
afford to stay here on expense without being made sure of 
some compensation. 

^That is, that Clark's expedition against the Shawanese should strike that 
tribe at the same time that Irvine should reach the Wyandots, upon the 
Sandusky. 

2 The writer probably means the lieutenant of Cumberland county, Penn- 
sylvania. 



JfOO Washington-Irmne Correspondence. 

There is also a certain John Yance of the York county 
militia who was drafted at the same time with those who came 
up lately. lie joined me at our rendezvous, marched with me, 
and has done his duty very well, and I am at a loss to know 
whether I should return him to his captain, as he may refuse 
perhaps to return him on his pay roll, because he was not all 
his time under his command. 

I enclose you a return of a lieutenant and a few men who 
came up since as will appear. I have nothing of importance 
to communicate. Our scouts have made no discoveries ; and 
they are of opinion the coasts are pretty clear of the enemy. 



XXXIY. — Ikvine to General Claek. 

Fort Pitt, November 7, 1T82. 

Sir: — I appointed [a day] ' for the general rendezvous of 
the militia at Fort Mcintosh, and should have been able to 
have taken up my line of march on the 20th following. The 
day previous to this, a report of a cessation of arms spread, 
seemingly deserving credit, as I received intelligence that the 
march of the continental troops from below was countermanded. 
This news gained universal belief with the country and I fear 
would have mutilated my plan if the report had proved pre- 
mature. But, at the time I proposed to march, I received 
letters from the continental secretary at war countermanding 
the expedition, as General "Washington had been assured by 
the British general that all the savages were called in from 
the frontiers, and were not to commit any farther depredations 
upon the inhabitants. 

I was exceedingly uneasy when I considered it was then 
impossible to communicate to you the intelligence before you 
marched. A report of the defeat of a large number of the 
inhabitants in Kentucky^ was circulating at the same time 
and persuaded me almost that it would oblige you to drop your 

* The day mentioned is illegible. 

'The defeat here referred to was suffered at the battle of the Blue Licks, in 
the month of August previous. 



Appendix M. Jfil 



design. Tet, in case tliis should either be false, or not inca- 
pacitate you from proceeding against the Shawanese, I deter- 
mined to draw the attention of theWyandots by sending them 
information that I was prepared to attack Sandusky with a 
numerous force, — the only stratagem left me to make use of 
in your favor. 

XXXy. — General Clark to Irvine. 

Miami, November 13, 1782. 
Sir: — I fell in with your late express ^ on the 2d inst. at the 
mouth of the Licking creek.^ I was happy to find that our 
design was likely to be well-timed. "We marched on the 3d. 
The 10th, surprised the principal Shawanese town, Chillicothe;^ 
but not so completely as wished for, as most of the inhabit- 
ants had time to escape. We got a few scalps and prisoners. 
I immediately dispatched strong parties to the neighboring 
towns. In a short time, laid all of them in ashes, with all 
their riches. The British trading posf* at the carrying- pi ace, 
shared the same fate.^ I can not find, from the prisoners, that 

' Referring to the one which left Fort Pitt, October 3d. 

' Opposite the site of the present city of Cincinnati, Ohio. 

^ Now Piqua, Miami county, Ohio. 

■* Known, at that time, as Loramie's store, at or near the present Loramies, 
Shelby county, Ohio. 

^ The official report of Clark of his invasion of the Shawanese country was 
as follows : 

" Lincoln [County, Ky.], Nov. 27th, 1782. 

' ' Sir : — I embrace the earliest opportunity by Capt. Morrison, of acquainting 
you with our return from the Indian country. We left the Ohio on the 4th 
inst. with one thousand and fifty men, and surprised the principal Shawnee 
[Shawanese] town [now Piqua, Miami county. Ohio] on the evening of the 
10th inst. Immediately detaching strong parties to different quarters, in a 
few hours two-thirds of the town was laid in ashes and everything they [the 
Shawanese] were possessed of destroyed, except such articles as might be use- 
ful to the troops; the enemy had no time to secrete any part of their property 
which was in the town. The British trading post [Loramie's store] at the head 
of the Miami, and carrying- pi ace [portage] to the waters of the lake [Erie], 
shared the same fate, at the hands of a party of one hundred and fifty horse 
commanded by Col. Ben Logan. The property destroyed was of great amount, 
26 



Ji02 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

tliej had any idea of your second design; and I hope you will 
completely surprise the Sanduskians, I beg leave to refer you 
to Mr. Tate and his companions for further particulars, for 
reasons well known to you. 



XXXYI. — Christopher Hays ^ to Irvine. 

Near Cross Creek, November 19, 1783. 
Dear Sir: — We have proceeded this length in running the 
north line of Pennsylvania ^ and have enjoyed a peaceable pro- 

aad the quantity of provisions burned surpassed all idea we had of the Indian 
stores. 

" Tlie loss of the enemy was ten scalps, seven prisoners, and two whites re- 
taken; ours was one killed and one wounded. After lying part of four days 
in their towns, and finding all attempts to bring the enemy to a general action 
fruitless, we retired, as the season was far advanced and the weather threat- 
ening. I could not learn from the prisoners that they had the least idea of 
Gen. Irwin's [Irvine's] penetrating into their country ; should he have given 
them another stroke at Sandusky, it will have more than doubled the advan- 
tage already gained. We might probably have got many more scalps and 
prisoners, could we have known in time whether we were discovered or not. 
We took for granted we were not, until getting within three miles, some cir- 
cumstances happened which caused me to think otherwise. Col. John Floyd 
was then ordered to advance with three hundred men to bring on an action or 
attack the town, while Major Walls with a party of horse had previously 
b3en detached by a different route, as a party of observation. Although Col. 
Floyd's motions were so quick as to get to the town but a few minutes later 
than those who discovered his approach, the inhabitants had sufficient notice 
to effect their escape to the woods, by the alarm cry which was given on the 
first discovery. This was heard at a very great distance, and repeated by all 
that heard it. Consequently our parties only fell in with the rear of the 
enemy. 

" I must beg leave to recommend to your excellency the militia of Kentucky, 
whose behavior on the occasion does them honor, and particularly their desire 
to save prisoners. Subscribed, G. R. Clark. 

" [To Gov. Benj. Harrison, of Virginia.]" 

' Hays was employed by the state of Pennsylvania to assist in running the 
temporary boundary line between that state and Virginia from the end of 
Mason & Dixon's line to the Ohio river. He was a prominent citizen of West- 
moreland — a member of the supreme executive council of the state, and 
judge of his county, he having been commissioned July 24th, of that year. 

'That is, the boundary line on the west side of Pennsylvania, south of the 
Ohio river. Hays speaks of it as a "north line," because a meridian line 



Appendix M. }fi3 

gress hitherto, and expect to strike the Ohio river about Thurs- 
day next between Fort Mcintosh and Earedon's Bottom. 

Sir, I am reduced to the necessity of troubling your honor 
to send me by the bearer one keg of whisky, two pounds pow- 
der, and four pounds lead, and your compliance will much 
oblige [me].^ 

P. S. — I will replace the whisky with all convenient speed. 
Please to bring it in your own boat if you come to meet us.'^ 

was being run from the southwest corner of the state to the Ohio river; the 
twenty-three miles to that corner from the point east where it had been pre- 
viously stopped, having been completed. This was the finishing of the tem- 
porary boundary line which Alexander McClean endeavored to commence the 
running of on the previous 10th of June, but was stopped by a number of 
horsemen — "Virginians, as they called themselves " — but which was after- 
ward resumed. (See pp. 248, 268, 294-296, 328, 327.) 

The question of the boundary line between Pennsylvania and Virginia was 
settled by commissioners of those states at Baltimore, in August, 1779; but, 
as we have seen, the line remained unrun. This fact, as already frequently 
indicated, was the cause of a great deal of trouble in the western department. 
As an expedient to "quiet the minds of the people and compel militia ser- 
vice," until a permanent lire could be run based upon astronomical observa- 
tions, the governor of Pennsylvania addressed the executive of Virginia May 
14,1781: " For the sake of settling the minds of the people and preventing 
disputes among the borderers, [we suggest] to have a temporary line run by 
common surveyors from the termination of Mason and Dixon's line to the 
Ohio; or, if that should not be agreeable, to extend it twenty-three miles from 
the end of Mason and Dixon's line, that being the extent of five degrees ac- 
cording to common computation. In this case, we only propose to mark the 
trees, avoiding as much as possible unnecessary expense. We hope this last 
proposition, in which we have no other intentions than to quiet the minds of 
the people and compel militia service, will be acceptable to your excellency, as 
the best and indeed the only expedient which can now be adopted." 

The first attempt to run this temporary line and its results have already 
been spoken of on previous pages. The next attempt (and the successful one) 
was commenced November 4, 1782, by McClean and Neville, and carried for- 
ward as indicated in Hays' letter. Of course, Virginia had no interest in the 
western boundary of Pennsylvania north of the Ohio. 

' It will be noticed that whisky is the article first mentioned; more to be de- 
sired than powder and lead, notwithstanding the Indians were still hostile! 

* The following from McClean to the governor of Pennsylvania, dated March 
13, 1783, refers to the finishing up of the temporary line : 

" Sir: — Enclosed is an account of expenses, in addition to the bill I laid be- 
fore you. I take the liberty to inform you that I was under the necessity of 



JfiJi, Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 



XXXVII. — Henry Taylor^ to Irvine. 

Washington County, JSfovemher 20, 1872. 
Sir: — There is a certain Crail, a soldier now belonging to 
the troops at Pittsburgh, who was attached some time ago for 
forgery. At the time he was before the court, the grand jury 
was discharged, therefore no bill of indictment was prepared. 
The state attorney and the court thought it most prudent to 
order him to the service as it was the safest place to secure 
hira and the public requiring his service, no jail being yet in 

defraying or assuming the expense herein set forth, to prevent the business 
being entirely frustrated; as the miUtia expected trom this state could not be 
drawn out in time to answer the purpose ; and the Virginia troops being on 
the spot, we concluded to proceed with the guard we were then possessed of; 
and as Colonel Hays could not possibly overtake us, I kept the troops from 
Virginia until their provisions were expended and then discharged all that I 
could spare, giving them an order to draw provisions at Beeson's Town [now 
Uniontown, Fayette county, Penn.] for their return home." 

For the history of "Mason and Dixon's Line," with accounts of running 
the permanent line west of Dunkard and north to the Ohio river, see "A 
Memoir," etc., by James Dunlop, in "Mem. of the Hist. Soc. of Penn.," Vol. 
I (1826); Craig's "Olden Time," Vol. I (1846); U. S. Senate (Ex.) Doc, 
No. 21, 30 Cong. (1848); Col. J. D. Graham's Report, Penn. Senate Jour., 
Vol. n (1850); "Hist, of Mason and Dixon's Line," by J. H. B. Latrobe 
(1855); "Mason and Dixon's Line," by James Veech (1857). Consult, also, 
in this connection, the Penn. Archives and Col. Records and the Calendar of 
Virginia State Papers. 

' President judge of Washington county. He was from Cecil county, Mary- 
land, from which place he emigrated in 1771, to a place near what is now 
Washington, in Washington county. Before the organization of that county, 
Taylor was an adherent of the Virginia side of the boundary controversy. 
He was a major of militia and a justice of the courts of Yohogania county, 
under the authority of that province. He subsequently filled several impor- 
tant civil and military positions in Washington county. He died October 8, 
1801, aged sixty-three years. (See "The Washington County Centennial," — 
Address by Boyd Crumrine, p. 42.) 

"I have before me a duplicate of the [land] warrant to Henry Taylor, the 
first justice who presided in the courts of Washington county [Pa.], . . . 
which warrant was signed by John Penn, and is dated February 1, 1771, for 
150 acres on the Middle Fork of Chartiers creek, and on the path leading 
from Catfish Camp [now Washington, county-seat of Washington county] 
to Pittsburgh." — Boyd Crumrine, in The Washington (Pa.) Observer, Aug. 
nth, 1881. 



Appendix M. Jfi5 



the county to secure him and it was not known at the time 
when we should have an opportunity of having him tried. 

There is a court of oyer and terminer and general jail de- 
livery to be held for this county the 25th instant at Catfish 
Camp [Washington, the present county-seat of the county]. 
The judges have required me to give you the above informa- 
tion, not doubting your ready compliance in delivering him 
up for trial. In compliance on my part of the request I send 
this with an officer, who will deliver it, and has an order for 
receiving him if you will please to order him in his custody.* 

I have not heard all the testimony that will be against Crail, 
but from the information I have got I am of opinion there 
will be no danger of losing a soldier. . . . 



XXXYIII. — Christopher Hays and Edward Cook to 

Irvine. 

Washington County, Decemher 25, 1782. 
Sir: — Mr. CraiP we return to you again, as no evidence 
appeared against him. Tliere is a certain William Hanks 
convicted of a rape upon a child and under sentence of death. 
There is no place in this county to secure him in until his 
death warrant arrives. It is therefore requested that the gen- 
eral will do the county the favor of securing him. The sher- 
iff will throw in such supplies as may be necessary for his 
support.^ 

' The request made to Irvine was complied with. (See next letter.) 

' See letter from Taylor to Irvine next preceding. 

^ This letter was signed by both Hays and Cook, who, though judges of 
Westmoreland, were also members, at that time, of the Washington county 
court, under a special commission, as the following shows: 

" In Council, Philadelphia, July 25th, 1782. 
" Ordered, that a special commission of oyer and terminer and general jail 
delivery, directed to the Honorable Christopher Hays and Dorsey Pentecost, 
Esquires, and Edward Cook, Esquire, be now issued to the counties of West- 
moreland and Washington, for the trial of divers persons now confined in the 
jails of the said counties charged with high crimes and misdemeanors." 



J^06 Washington-Irvine Corresjpondence. 



XXXIX. — Irvine to Major Isaac Ceaig.^ 

Carlisle, Ajpril 1, 1783. 
Dear Major: — As Mr. Hose ^ will carry you all the partic- 
ulars of peace, etc., the present is only to congratulate you on 

' Isaac Craig was born at Bally keel Artifinny, County Down, Ireland, of 
Presbyterian parents, about the year 1742, emigi-ating to America at the close 
of the year 1765 or beginning of 1766, and settled in Philadelphia, working 
as a journeyman house carpenter, which trade he had previously learned, 
becoming finally a master builder and laboring with success until the break- 
ing out of the revolution. In November, 1775, he received an appointment 
as the oldest lieutenant of marines in the navy, and, in that capacity, served 
ten months, being promoted, after some active service, to a captaincy of 
marines. Having joined the army with his company as infantry, he was 
present at the crossing of the Delaware, the capture of the Hessians at Tren- 
ton, and at the battle of Princeton. On the 3d of March, 1777, he was ap- 
pointed a captain of artillery in the regiment of Pennsylvania troops under 
the command of Colonel Thomas Procter, in which regiment he continued to 
serve until it was disbanded at the close of the war. He was engaged with 
his company in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown. 

Early in the spring of 1778, Captain Craig was ordered to Carlisle to learn 
practically the art of the military laboratory. Here he remained until August, 
1778. On the 29th of March, 1779, he was ordered to the command of the 
fort at Billingsport on the Delaware, below Philadelphia, being relieved May 
2d following. He was ordered with his regiment to Easton, May 20, 1779, 
and marched with Sullivan in his expedition against the Six Nations, return- 
ing to Easton October 18, following. In January, 1780, he was with the 
army at Morristown, New Jersey. On the 20th of April, he was ordered to 
Fort Pitt with artillery and military stores, reaching that post on the 25th of 
June. He continued in command of the artillery there until the 29th of July, 
1781, when he left with his detachment for the Falls (Louisville) in aid of 
Clark, as before narrated; getting back to Fort Pitt on the 26th of November. 

On the 12th of March, 1782, Captain Craig was promoted to be major, his 
commission bearing date March 13, 1782, to rank from October 7, 1781. His 
duties at Fort Pitt and the confidence reposed in him by General Irvine have 
already been indicated in previous pages. Major Craig continued at that post 
until the close of the war, when he became a citizen of Pittsburgh. 

In February, 1785, Major Craig married Amelia Neville, the only daughter 
of Colonel John Neville. In February, 1791, he was made deputy quarter- 
master and military store-keeper at Pittsburgh. He soon after superintended 
the construction, at the same place, of Fort Fayette; also of smaller works at 
La Bceuf, Presq' Isle and Wheeling. He died May 14, 1826. 

"^ This letter was taken by Lieutenant John Rose, Irvine's aid, to Major 
Craig, at Fort Pitt. 



Appendix M. JfiH 



the glorious end to the war. It has been with hard work and 
much assiduity, in Mr. Rose, that subsistence and pay have 
been obtained for t|ie post. But after all, you will lind the 
post has been, on the whole, better supplied than any other 
part of the army. Not a rag has the main army got this 
winter. A late commotion of the officers at headquarters has 
occasioned some attention from congress. 

It is said the army will be settled with before they are dis- 
banded. I will wait here some time and watch every motion. 
Everybody must remain in statu quo for some time, A peace 
establishment is talked of. What do you think of that? Do 
let me know your inclination soon. 



XL. — Epheaim Blaine ^ to Irvine. 

Philadelphia, April 2, 1783. 
Dear Sir: — I expected being at Carlisle the first of this 
month, but my public accounts will prevent my getting away 
before the 15th. I should wish to see you before your de- 

' Ephraim Blaine, the son of James Blaine, an early Scotch-Irish settler on 
the Conodoguinet, was born near Carlisle, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, 
on the 26th of May, 1741. His father being a man qf means, the son re- 
ceived a classical education, under the care of the Rev. Dr. Allison. The 
breaking out, however, of the French and Indian war, brought Ephraim away 
from his books to the duties of a soldier on the frontiers. During the Bouquet 
expedition of 1764, he was commissary-sergeant of the second provincial reg- 
iment. At the outset of the war for independence, he assisted in raising a 
battalion of associators, and as an ofBcer of these " minute men " of the rev- 
olution he continued until his appointment as county lieutenant of Cumber- 
land county, April 5, 1777, a position, however, he resigned in August 
following, when he entered the commissary department of the continental 
line. He was commissioned commissary general of purchases, February 19, 
1778, a position he held over three years, including one of the most trying 
periods of the war — the cantonment at Valley Forge. On the 7th of July, 
1780, he accepted the position of issuing commissary for his county. Owing 
to his personal sacrifices during the war. Col. Blaine's estate became impaired, 
although his fortune remained ample. He was a warm personal friend of 
Gen. Washington, and it was at his house the first president remained during 
his week's stay at Carlisle when on the so-called " Whisky Insurrection" of 
1794. Col. Blaine died at his seat near Carlisle, February 16, 1804, in the 
sixty- third year of his age. He was twice married: first, to Rebecca Gal- 



J^OS Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

partnre to Fort Pitt, and liope the 18th will answer tliat pur- 
pose. If I can get ray cash accounts settled with the public, 
I shall certainly go to Pittsburgh in July, in order to settle 
some disputes which I have about lands in that neighborhood. 
Mr, Wilson has settled his accounts of two months' issues, 
and Mr. Morris gave him part payment in his own notes, 
which he refused taking until he assured him he had written 
you to lift them. You will greatly oblige me by doing it, as 
Mr. Wilson will be necessitated for money and would not have 
taken them upon any other principle.^ 



XLI. — LiEUT.-CoL. Stephen Batakd^ to Irvine.^ 

Fort Pitt, Afril 5, 1783. 
Dear General: — About ten days. ago 1 received an express 
from Waltour's giving me an account of the Indians killing 

braith ; secondly, to Mrs. Duncan, whose husband had fallen in a duel. There 
were two sons, both by his firsb wife — James and Robert. James Blaine 
went abroad in 1791 as a merchant, and became an attache to the American 
legation in Paris, but returned as bearer of dispatches connected with Jay's 
treaty. At that period, he was considered the most accomplished gentleman 
in Philadelphia. He died in Washington county, Pennsylvania, whither he 
had removed after his father's death. His son Ephraim was the father of 
James G. Blaine, who was born in Washington county, removed to Maine, 
p,nd was lately the distinguished senator from that state. Ephraim Blaine's 
other son, Robert, married Anna S. Metzgar and left issue. 

' Directed to Irvine at Carlisle. 

'In command at Fort Pitt during General Irvine's absence. (Ante, p. 141, 
note.) Stephen Bayard was born in Maryland, in 1748. He belonged to a 
Huguenot family from Languedoc. He was brought up by his uncle, John 
Bayard, of Philadelphia. He settled after the revolution in Pittsburgh, where 
he was in partnership with Isaac Craig. After retiring from business, be 
made his home on his lands on the Monongahela, fourteen miles above Pitts- 
burgh. There he laid out a town which he named Elizabeth, after his wife. 
He built there the first vessel launched jupon the waters of the Monong-ahela. 
He died at Pittsburgh, December 13, 1815. He was captain in the third 
Pennsylvania regiment, ranking from January 5, 1776; promoted major of 
the eighth, March 12, 1777; appointed lieutenant-colonel September 2:1, same 
year; transferred to the sixth, January, 1781; to the first, January 1, 1783. 

^This letter was directed to Irvine at Carlisle, the general reaching there, 
it will be remembered, on the 4th of March previous. 



Appendix M. ^09 



James Davis [and] his son, and taking two prisoners about half 
a mile from that fort. The 31st of March, Mr. Zane^ writes by 
express that one man was found killed and scalped and another 
taken prisoner at Wheat's Narrows on Wheeling creek. An 
express came to me last night from Col. Shepherd^ gi^'ing '^^ 
account of six persons being killed, six wounded and five made 
prisoners within seven miles of Catfish.^ This moment I was 
informed by a man from the widow Myres' that one Thomas 
Lyon who lived about four miles from her house was yesterday 
killed and scalped. The certainty of Indians being about, 
killing and taking prisoners, is now beyond doubt, and has 
induced me to send this express. I should have done it before, 
but could not altogether rely on the accounts given me. I 
dare say the account will to you be unexpected, as it really was 
to me, and seems so to the country people, who can scarcely 
believe it yet, having heard so much of a peace and Indians 
being called in. 

Your representation of the matter will no doubt have great 
weight and probably be of infinite service to this unhappy 
country. • 

I have given them every assurance of assistance consistent 
with the safety of this post, should they stand fast and act 
spiritedly. 

P. S. — The officers here that are to retire are very anxious 
to know whether they will be retired. The sub-lieutenant of 
Washington county has written (by the express) to the presi- 
dent [of the supreme executive council of Pennsylvania], 
representing the situation of the county.^ 

^ Ebenezer Zane, of Wheeling. ' 

' Colonel David Shepherd, lieutenant of Ohio county, Virginia. 

^Now Washington, county-seat of Washington county, Pennsylvania. 

^J. Dickinson was president of Pennsylvania, elected November 7, 1782. 
(Ante, p. 260, note.) The letter referred to as written him by the sub- 
lieutenant of "Washington county, was as follows : 

" Washington County, April 5, 1783. 

"Sir: — The expectation of peace gave the inhabitants of the western 
frontiers hopes of being eased of the calamities of war, at least for some time; 
but it is our great mortification the savages have begun anew their depreda- 
tions. They took one Mrs. Walker prisoner on the 27th ult., on Buffalo 



^10 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 



XLII. — Major Craig to Irvine. 

Fort Pitt, April 5, 1783. 
Dear General: — ^Notwithstanding General Carleton's assur- 
ance of the savages being restrained and the Indian partisans 
being called in, we have almost every day accounts of families 
being murdered or carried off. The frontier inhabitants of 

creek, but she happily made her escape. This woman says that two parties 
of Indians are gone against the inhabitants. Two days after there were two 
men taken prisoners at Wlieeling; — the day following, a man was wounded 
on Short creek. The 1st of April they took the Wison Boice and family con- 
sisting of eight persons, and a man was killed the day following, near Wash- 
ington county court house. Same time two Indian rafts were seen on the 
Ohio, between Wheeling and Grave creek. In short, the inhabitants are in 
the utmost consternation, especially on the frontiers; and, unless timely 
relieved, their case must be truly deplorable. 

" The commandant of Fort Pitt (Col. Bayard) has generously supplied us 
with ammunition, and is ready to give us every assistance in his power. We 
are with great respect, sir, your most obed't and humble servants. 

The following letter from the Washington county member of the supreme 
executive council of Pennsylvania to the governor of the state gives particulars 
of these inroads and of their subsidence: 

"Washington County, Matj 4, 1783. 

"S/r; — I have no doubt but that Gen. Irvine has informed your excellency 
and council of the early inroads of the savages this spring, and with what 
uncommon inhumanity they marked their horrid murders, as also the great 
success they met with owing to the unexpectedness of the stroke. I think in 
one week they killed and captured seventeen persons, two of whom (a woman 
and a boy) have since made their escape. The people were so entirely easy 
under the expectation of a general peace, that those butchers of mankind met 
with no kind of obstruction in their progress; for it is said, and I believe with 
truth, that they continued about the frontiers of this county for several days 
without a single scout pursuing them. However, they have at length left the 
country of their own accord ; and I have the pleasure of informing your 
excellency that I have not heard of any disturbance from them for several 
weeks past. . . . Your excellency's most ob't humble serv't, 

"DousEY Pentecost." 

The following is from the Pennsi/lvania Paclx-et of June 19, 1783 (No. 1056): 

"Extract of a letter from a gentleman at George's creek, on Monongahela, 
to his brother, an officer in the Pennsylvania line, dated May 7, 1783: 

" ' The Indians have been worse this spring than any other time since the 
commencement of the war; killing, captivating and burning upon all quar- 



Appendix M. Ji.ll 



Washington and Ohio counties are moving into the interior 
settlements. The inhabitants of "Westmoreland, it is said, will 
follow their example, and we have reason to believe that the 
post of Wheeling is or will shortly be evacuated. 

It appears there are several parties of the enemy, or detach- 
ments of some large party, as they are ranging the country in 
several places at the same time. Colonel Bayard's letter^ will 
further inform you. Applications and petitions for ammuni- 
tion and assistance have come in from all quarters. 

Prospects of peace on this side the mountains seem to 
vanish. The British either have very little influence over their 
savage allies or they are acting a most deceitful part. I hope, 
however, that the assurances we have of the pacific disposition 
of England will give congress an opportunity of sending a 
sufficient force to extirpate or at least properly chastise these 
marauding rascals.^ Should an expedition be determined on in 
which artillery is to be employed, I hope it will be remembered 
that there is not a three-pounder fit to be carried into the field 
at this place, and that at least two of that calibre will be wanted, 
according to my opinion. I hope I shall have the pleasure 
of battering the Wyandot blockhouses in the course of the 
ensuing sumnjer and perhaps of taking possession of Detroit.^ 

ters of our frontiers, and the only support that we have is a faint hope that 
his excellency, General Washington, will send us relief. My dear brother, if 
you have any influence in this case, I pray that you would exert it to the 
utmost. ' 

" It is astonishing how men in power can hear of our poor frontiers, suffer- 
ing under the barbarous hands of cruel savages, and take no measure to bring 
to justice a race of mankind who glory in killing women and children. 

"Have we lost all feelings in Philadelphia? Or can we be so void of the 
principles of justice as to suppose that a people, who are not protected by us, 
owe allegiance to us." 

' See previous letter, same date as the above. 

2 " The inhabitants of the frontiers seem more discouraged than they have 
been, having flattered themselves with the most sanguine hopes of peace, 
which hopes they now think are frustrated." — John Cummins to Pres't Dick' 
inson, from Hannasiotvn, March29, 1783. 

'^ Directed to Irvine at Carlisle. 



Ji,12 Washington-Ir'vine Correspondence. 



XLIII. — LiEUT.-CoL. Bayard to Irvine.^ 

FoET Pitt, April 15, 1783. 

Dear General: — I thank yon for your kind favor by Major 
Rose. Since my last by express, the Indians have done no 
more mischief; but signs have been discovered and the country 
people are yet prodigiously scared and say they will make 
another stroke soon; as they swear they will be revenged on the 
frontiers [that is, the frontier people will be revenged], be it 
peace or be it war. 

The retired officers seem greatly distressed and dissatisfied 
at receiving no cash by Mr. Rose; as they are. in debt, have no 
money nor credit, and have a great way to go home. Their 
case is really hard and they are to be pitied, but you will say 
that is cold comfort. 

I have not made up my mind fully on the questions you 
were good enough to put to me; but incline as soon as peace 
is established to lay aside the tomahawk and scalping-knife 
and retire to a privatevlife. However, on this and every other 
interesting subject, I shall always pay a great deference to your 
advice. 

The soldiers have said, as soon as peace was concluded, they 
would immediately go home, as they then considered them- 
selves free men. I have not heard them say so, nor spoke to 
them on the subject; but I dare say I shall be able to keep 
them together till further orders. Duncan is not yet arrived; 
I hope to have the pleasure of a line from you by him. 

[P. S.] — I hear the Yirginians are making improvements 
over the Ohio from Beaver creek to the Muskingum. Dr. 
Rogers scuds his respectful compliments to you. 



XLIY. — LiEUT.-CoL. Bayard to Irvine.^ 

Fort Pitt, April 28, 1783. 
Dear General: — Mr. Duncan handed me your favor of the 
9th instant, for which I thank you. I make it a point to give 

' Directed to Carlisle. 

^ Directed to Irvine at Carlisle. 



Appendix M. Jf-lS 



you a few lines by every opportunity, though they contain 
very little novelty, and are only a repetition of the same dull 
scene, which can give no entertainment, yet may be satisfac- 
tory. 

I sent last week a scout to Wheeling of 19 men to be out 
eight days; that time is elapsed and they are not yet returned. 
Probably they may have met with Indians which has detained 
them; if so, I shall know in a day or two. Immediately on its 
return I propose sending another to Fort Crawford via widow 
Myres', which will give confidence and keep people at home. 
The people of Westmoreland have been at me for ammunition 
but I chose rather to send a scout than give it them. 

Mr. Rose will inform you of the troops refusing to receive 
their pay in the way directed; they will have no objections, I 
am informed, to receive a full month's pay at once though they 
grumble a good deal at that, and have said (not in my hearing) 
that if they were not settled with soon, they would lay down 
their arms; but these may be words, of course. I hope soon 
to have the pleasure of seeing you, when all these affairs 
will be settled to everybody's satisfaction. 

Mcintosh I hope is safe; not an Indian nor sign been seen 
for a long time. 

P. S. — Please inform Mr. Bryson what Mr. Rose says with 
respect to his pay. The party from Wheeling has just come 
in; no Indians nor signs seen. 



XLY. — Ephkaim Douglass' to Irvine. 

Fort Pitt, June 4, 1783. 
Sir: — Presuming on your inclination equally with the re- 
quest of the honorable the secretary at war, to afford me every 

' Douglass was an officer of the revolution, of the eighth Pennsylvania 
regiment and afterward an aid to General Lincoln. Upon the erection of 
Fayette county, Penn., in 1783, he was appointed prothonotary and clerk of 
the courts, offices which (with others, civil and military) he held until 1808. 
He died in 1833. 



4^4- Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

-<i "^ ■ 

assistance,^ I beg leave to trouble you with a request for two 
horses, one riding saddle, three blankets, one hundred weight 
of flour, forty pounds of dried bacon ham and one quart of 
salt, in addition to the one horse and such articles as I have 
already received out of the public stores. 



XLYI. — Ephraim Douglass to Irvine. 

Fort Pitt, June 7, 1783, 
Dear Sir: — The delay of yesterday will probably deny me 
the pleasure of seeing you, as I flattered myself I should at 
Tort Mcintosh, where I proposed to have taken my leave of 
you, and to have submitted to your better judgment the pro- 
priety of informing [General George Rogers] Clark of a mes- 
senger being sent to the Indians with offers of peace; and 
whether, in your opinion, it might not possibly be a means of 
restraining the people of that country from attempting any- 
thing against the Indians till it shall be known how the pro- 
posals of congress will be received. 

If your opinion coincides with my wishes on this head, I 
would beg you take the trouble to write him on the subject, 
from a conviction that your name will give a sanction to 
whatever you may think to suggest to him. 



XLYII. — Ephraim Douglass to Irvine. 

Detroit, July 6, 1783. 
Dear Sir: — For the purpose of writing to the honorable, 
the secretary at war, as well as to give you the information 

' For the request of the secretary at war to Irvine of which Douglass speaks, 
see p. 188. Douglass, when he wrote the above letter, was en route to the 
Indian country "charged with a message to the Indian nations," because of 
their hostilities continued upon the border, as mentioned in the letters of 
Colonel Bayard and Major Craig, just given. (Ante. p. 188, note 2.) 

' Before Douglass' arrival at Detroit, he sent in an open letter by an Indian 
to Mr. Elliott, which letter was taken to De Peyster, the commandant, who 
immediately dispatched Elliott into the Indian country to meet him and con- 
duct him in. De Peyster, at the same time, wrote Douglass, requesting him 
not to enter into any negotiations with the Indians before his arrival. 



Appendix M. ^,15 



of ray safe arrival at this place, I have caused Mr, Elliott to 
return by the nearest way to your post; and am happy in 
communicating to you that, though I have not been able to 
answer entirely the expectations of the public, I have found 
the Indians highly disposed, from the pains which had been 
taken with them before my arrival, to cease from further 
hostilities against the inhabitants of the United States, pro- 
vided that, on their part, they [the latter] show the same dispo- 
sition to avoid the offer of every cause of just complaint, and 
particularly to confine themselves to that side of the [Ohio] 
river, which neither prudence nor the laws of the country 
forbid their entrance. 

I expect to depart to-morrow for Niagara, where I am 
encouraged to hope such instructions will shortly arrive as 
that the officer [Gen. Allan McLean] commanding the district 
will find duty and inclination conspire to promote and effect- 
uate the business of my mission. At present, the want of 
official information induces Colonel DePeyster, the gentleman 
commanding here, to think it incompatible with his duty, as 
it is repugnant to his opinion, to suffer the message of the 
United States to be delivered before he is possessed of such 
authenticated accounts of the treaty as will justify his concur- 
rence with me.^ Exclusive of the reasons I have already men- 
tioned, I have yet another which I am very earnest to make 
known to you: The possibility that curiosity — the desire of 
visiting their relations or the confidence of an hospitable 
reception — might lead some of the Indians to Fort Pitt, 
while our reception in their country was still unknown, — and 
that some injury might, in consequence, be offered to them by 
an unthinking populace, — all bid me wish to advertise you of 
their friendly disposition, from the opinion that you will see 
the justice and necessity of affording them protection and 

' But Douglass was disappointed. Upon his arrival at Niagara he was not 
Buffered "to assemble the chiefs [of the various Indian tribes of the west] and 
to make known to them the message" he was charged with by the United 
States; his mission was, therefore, a failure in one sense, but it tended to 
lessen the inroads of the savages upon the frontiers and was, as a consequence, 
productive of much good, thanks to the kind offices of the humane De Peyster. 



Ji.16 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

suitable assistance. In this case, I am well assured that what- 
ever humanity and good policy could suggest, you would 
order to be done, if our fate was not so intimately connected 
with theirs.^ Let me beg that you will excuse the liberty of 
offering to trouble you with tlie enclosed. 



XLYIII. — LiEUT.-CoL. A. S. De Peyster ^ to Irvine. 

Detroit, July 10, 1783. 
Sir: — By this favorable opportunity of Mr. Elliott, I 
have permitted Mr. Little to return to Fort Pitt, on his 

■ The following extract from a letter afterward written by the commandant 
at Detroit, Colonel A. S. De Peyster, to his superior officer. Brigadier General 
Allan MacLean, commanding at Niagara, explains, as he understood it, one 
of the causes operating to protract hostilities between the borderers and the 
savages : 

"Runners are just come in from the Indian countiy with accounts that the 
Kentucky people had attacked and carried off a number of horses belonging 
to the Indian hunters who were hunting on their own grounds at a consider- 
able distance on this side of the Ohio. The Indians, not willing to lose their 
property, pursued the Virginians, attacked them, and killed two men, 
and had one of their own number mortally wounded, who is since dead. I 
have made every possible inquiry, and can assure you the Kentuckians were 
the aggressors. I mention the particulars that they may be fairly related, to 
prevent any misfortune that might ensue from misapprehensions of these 
lawless people, the Indians being heartily disposed to peace and friendship 
with the people on the frontiers of the United States." 

^ Arent Schuyler de Peyster was born in New York city, on the twenty- 
seventh of June, 1736. His father, Pierre Guillaume, was the seventh son of 
Abraham de Peyster. His mother was Catharine Schuyler, sister of Peter 
Schuyler, famous in the history of our country. Arent Schuyler was their 
second son. He entered the eighth, or king's regiment of foot, British army, 
on the tenth of June, 1755. Having served in various parts of North 
America, he, finally, as captain, took command of the post of Mackinaw, in 
1774. While there, the revolution was inaugurated, which, in the end, as we 
have already shown, secured to the British interest all the western Indians. 
In the management of the wild tribes within his jurisdiction, De Peyster 
displayed extraord'nary discretion. After the capture early in 1779, of Lieu- 
tenant-Governor Henry Hamilton by George Rogers Clark, De Peyster, now 
holding the rank of major, was assigned to the command of Detroit. At this 
time, all the Ohio and Lake Indians were firm allies of the British, the 
Delawares alone excepted; and the principal part of that tribe soon joined 
their fortunes with the neighboring nations. 



Appendix M. Ji.17 



private affairs. Mr. Douglass, before he left this for Niagara, 
informed me that he had written to you fully upon the sub- 
Brought into closer relation with hostile operations along the border, the 
command at Detroit was a very difficult and perplexing one to the urbane, 
humane, and chivalric De Peyster. His policy, so different from that of his 
predecessor, is well disclosed in one of his speeches to the Delawares in 1781, 
while securing the alienation of that nation from the Americans: "Bring 
me," said he, "some Virginian prisoner, — I am pleased when I see what you 
call live meat, because I can speak to it and get information ; scalps serve to 
show that you have seen the enemy, but they are of no use to me, I cannot 
speak with them." That he made all haste to send succor from Detroit to his 
allies upon the Sandusky upon the approach of Crawford and his army, is 
nothing to his discredit. As an officer in the British army, he could do no less. 
His words to his superior, upon learning the fate of that unfortunate com- 
mander, are highly creditable to him: " 1 have sent messengers throughout 
the Indian country, threatening to recall the troops if they — the Indians — 
do not desist from such cruelty." As an officer, although, at times, quite 
arbitrary, De Peyster won considerable distinction at Detroit. In some 
respects, however, his acts were open to criticism, especially in securing for 
himself a large grant of land from the Indians, but which was not confirmed 
to him. Concessions without authority of law of public property to private 
individuals and unnecessary bias to certain parties engaged in the fur-trade, 
have been charged against him, — possibly with sooie exaggerations. On the 
whole, his administration of affairs at that post must be considered as char- 
acterized by fairness as well as firmness. 

After the conclusion of hostilities with the revolted colonies, De Peyster 
continued in the service, remaining at Detroit until 1784; having risen to be 
lieutenant-colonel daring that conflict; he afterward went to England 
where he received his commission as colonel. He was located at different 
stations, commanding, at one time, the garrison at Plymouth ; subsequently 
retiring to Dumfries, Scotland, his wife's native town. At the period of the 
French revolution, he embodied and trained the first regiment of Dumfries 
volunteers, of which corps the poet. Burns, was a member. One of the 
sparkling effusions of the latter is addressed to De Peyster, commencing, — 

My honor'd Colonel, deep I feel 
Your int'rest in the Poet's weal; 
Ah! how sma' heart hae I to speel 

The steep Parnassus, 
Surrounded thus by bolus pill. 

And potion glasses." 

De Peyster was not only " a warrior, true and bold," but a writer of no 

insignificant power and pretensions. Besides many fugitive poetical efforts, 

he left behind him a volume of " Miscellanies," wherem he recorded some of 

his services in the northwest from 1774 to 1779, which contains also consider- 

27 



Ji.18 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

ject of liis voyage. I have given a pass to a lad taken after 
the peace conduded, to return to his friends.^ 

The annexed advertisement'^ will give you a description of 
certain slaves, deserters from this neighborhood after the 
peace concluded betwixt Great Britain and the United States 
of America; the owners having requested of me to transmit 
it to yon, in hopes you will give orders for their being appre- 
hended. 

Mr. Elliott will deliver you a letter from me to General 
Lincoln in answer to his letter to me of the 3d of May.^ 



XLIX. — Major William Croghan ^ to Irtine. 

Fort Pitt, July 23, 1783. 
Sir: — When at Winchester barracks about two months 
ago, Captain John Stitli had just returned from Philadelphia 
w.ith one month's pay for the troops at that post, the whole of 

able information in regard to incidents transpiring in that region during the 
period indicated. He died in Dumfries, in November, 1822. His remains 
were interred in St. Michael's church-yard, in presence of a greater crowd 
than had ever entered or surrounded the walls of the same place since the 
funeral of Robert Burns. At the time of his death, he was probably the 
oldest officer in his majesty's service. He was buried with military honors. 

'John Burkhart. He was taken by a war-party of savages headed by 
Simon Girty, in May previous, five miles from Pittsburgh, at the mouth of 
Nine Mile Run. Guns were firing in Fort Pitt at the very time of the boy's 
capture, on account of the reception of the news of peace. This fact was 
made known to Girty by the lad; and still he was taken to Detroit, but was, 
of course, returned to his friends by De Peyster, at the first opportunity. 
Burkhart was well treated by Girty, as, indeed, were other pei-sons in his 
power after De Peyster assumed command at Detroit. 

' This advertisement has not been found, which is a matter of regret, as 
the citizens of Detroit would, doubtless, be interested in reading a description 
of certain negro slaves held by residents of their city only five years before the 
passage of the Ordinance of 1787. 

^ A search for copies of these letters has proved fruitless. 

^ William Croghan was a native of Ireland. He entered the American 
army in 1776, as captain of infantry in the Virginia line. He fought at 
Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth, but was made prisoner of war 
May 12, 1780, at Charleston, under General Lincoln and released on parol. 
He was present at the siege of Yorktown and the capture of Cornwallis, but 



Aijpendix M. Jf.19 



which he paid both officers and soldiers (then present) at one 
payment; — my being particular in mentioning their being 
paid the month's pay at once, is on account of the orders I 
was informed M'cre sent to Fort Pitt when the month's pay 
was sent there, which said the soldiers should receive no more 
than half a dollar per week of the month's pay until the 
whole was paid.^ 

could only participate in the stirring scenes by his presence, as he was not 
exchanged at that date, but had been previous to the writing of this letter to 
Irvine. At the close of the war, he was the senior major of the Virginia 
line. He moved to Kentucky in 1784, where he married a sister of George 
Rogers Clark. He died at Locust Grove, Jefferson county, that state, in Sep- 
tember, 1822, in the seventieth year of his age. 

' The following correspondence explains why the above letter was ad- 
dressed to General Irvine : 

"Winchester Barracks, July 13, 1783. 

''Dear Sir: — I am directed by the honorable Major General Lincoln to 
send an officer to Fort Pitt to discharge the men belonging to the Virginia 
line enlisted for the war and to give them three months' pay. I have, there- 
fore, to request you will undertake this business as quick as possible. Colonel 
Wood will furnish you with twenty-five hundred dollars Morris's notes, and a 
number of printed furloughs or discharges. You will permit the men dis- 
charged to carry their arms and accouternients with them. I am, sir, your 
most obedient humble servant. P. Muhlenberg, B. G'l. 

" P. S. — The officers only who were arranged last January receive pay. If 

any otliers are on duty they must transmit their accounts to General Lincoln. 

"Major Croghan." 

"Fort Pitt, J»?y 23, 1783. 

"■Sir: — The above is an extract of my orders from General Muhlenberg for 
discharging and paying the Virginia line at Fort Pitt. I have the honor to be 
your most humble and obedient servant, 

" W. Croghan, Major Virginia Line. 

"General Irvine." 

Immediately afterward; Irvine issued the following: " Orders. Fort Pitt, 
July 24, 1783. In consequence of orders from the honorable the secretary at 
war. Major [William] Croghan will begin to-morrow to furlough (which will 
serve as discharges as soon as the definitive treaty of peace is concluded) the 
troops of the Virginia line at this post, and will pay them in notes for the 
months of February, March, and April last. Lieutenant Rose will pay them 
in specie for the month of January, at the same time. 

" The general has reason to expect directions in a few days for discharging 
the Pennsylvanians on similar principles. The men will be allowed to take 
their arms with them. As Captain [Uriah] Springer's company will be first 
settled with, none of them are to be detailed for duty to-morrow. 

" General Irvine has not a doubt but the notes will be equal to specie at 



Jf!20 Washington-Ii'vine Correspondence. 



L. — Major Croghan to Irvine. 

Warm Springs, August 30, 1783. 

Dear General: — Having received letters from Pointy [Point 
of] Fork and meeting with people herewith whom 1 had busi- 
ness, added to the agreeable company here (which amounts to 
near six hundred), among whom are Generals Gates, Gist, 
Morgan and Williams, I have delayed longer than I intended. 

I have enquired when the Maryland company are to march 
to Fort Pitt, and am informed they are in Fredericktown, 
Maryland, and that about a week ago an express was sent to 
the war office to receive orders for and respecting their march. 

General Morgan received a letter from Colonel Lamb to the 
same purport of that you got from him. He is apprehensive 
he will have to pay his part of the bill. 

The officers of the Virginia line are to have a meeting 
at Fredericksburg the beginning of October, respecting the 
society now forming by the officers of the different states, 
when they will choose their officers for it,^ aud consult on other 
matters for our general benefit. 



LI. — Irvine to Lieutenant Colonel De Peyster. 

Fort Pitt, August, 1783. 

Sir: — I liave been honored with your letter of the 10th of 
July by Mr. Elliot, and have transmitted the enclosed letter 
to General Lincoln. 

Report says the definitive treaty has arrived at New York; 

the time they become due; he therefore earnestly advises the men not to part 
■with them at an undervalue. The several states will certainly make good 
their engagements with the troops; — their now adopting ways and means to 
pay the interest on certificates is a proof of their inclination to do justice. 

"The general flatters himself this advice will have weight with the men as 
they must be convinced he can have no self-interested motives in view, and 
that he has never on any occasion shown a disposition to deceive them by 
promising what he had not clearly a right to expect done for them." 

* Reference is here made to the Society of the Cincinnati. 



Appendix M. J^l 



the enclosed newspapers, which I send for your amusement, 
contain all I can say of it, as I have not any official communi- 
cation on that subject; the probability, however, is in favor of 
its beino; true. Ko fuo^itive neo:roes have come into this coun- 
try for upwards of nine months past that I have heard of. I 
will cause the advertisement to be made public, and if all or 
any of the described negroes can be found during my com- 
mand here, their owners may expect that they will be sent to 
Detroit the lirst proper opportunity.^ 



LII. — Irvine to Captain Joseph Marbuky.^ 

Fort Pitt, Oct. 1, 1783. 
Sir: — By official information respecting your appointment 
and orders for taking command of this post I am persuaded 
you must arrive in a few days.^ The troops have been already 

When General Irvine returned home he proposed immediately to free the 
few slaves he held under the laws of Pennsylvania, as he remarked it was 
inconsistent fot a man who had been so long contending for liberty to hold 
men in bondage. My grandmother told me, on her consent the negroes were 
all called in, and when he told them they were free, they were overjoyed, and 
his body servant Tom said: " Master, am I free to do as I please?" " Yes," 
was the reply, " as free as I am, and what do you want to do now?" So Tom 
(whom he had purchased from a self-righteous man of Boston — a Mr. 

R ) said he would like to go back and see the old folks. He was fitted 

out with clothing and money and was off to Boston. Several years elapsed; 
one day the general was passing by the kitchen door, when he noticed a mis- 
erable, ragged negro seated inside. He went in, asked him who he was, and 
what he was doing there. The fellow jumped up and said: "Oh, Master, 
don't you know old Tom? he has come back to live and die here; he's found 
that thing you call Hbertyis all sham;" and he did live and die there. In the 
case of the Detroit people. General Irvine was actuated by a regard to the 
rights of others as then recognized; but, when it became a question where his 
OH-n property was concerned, he did not hesitate to let the instinct of human- 
ity be paramount. — Communicated by Dr. Wm. A. Irvine. 

2 In 1780, Captain Marbury of the Maryland line acted as quartermaster to 
the Maryland division of the army. 

^ That is, by a letter received from General Lincoln or rather from his as- 
sistant, W. Jackson (ante, p. 195). Irvine, however, as appears by the follow- 
ing letter to his wife, had previously a clue as to who his successor was to be: 

"Fort Pitt, September 8, 1783. 

" Mj/ Dear Love:— Since Mr. Rose left this, letters have arrived here ad- 
dressed to a Captain Marbury, by General Lincoln, which convinces me he 



Jf!!i'2 Washington-Irvine Correspondence. 

detained so much longer than any others that they are im- 
patient, though perfect tranquility is reigning. For these 
reasons, and because of the urgent necessity for my attending 
immediately to private concerns, I have left Captain John 
Pinley in command, with a small detachment only, till your 

arrival, having furloughed the rest.^ 

> ^ 

thinks I have left the place. Marbury, however, is not yet come. He is the 
officer to take command. Some accident must have happened him or his 
party. Matters will, I hope, be adjusted soon, at furtherest when Mr. Rose 
returns. If Captain Marbury should come in a few days, it is probable I may 
set out immediately and not wait for Mr. Rose's return, but of this 1 am not 
certain. You may inform Mr. Rose of this part of this letter; and also if I 
do set out, I shall take the Glade road. 

"I swapped Callender's pony yesterday for another — a real beauty and I 
am told it runs fast, but this may be against it for his safety ; however, 1 be- 
lieve it is g'ood humored. It is a great runaway and hard to catch; its 
name — Mingo. I have let Colonel Gibson have it for his little daughter to 
ride to Carlisle, who promises to deliver it as soon as she gets there. This 
serves him and saves me the trouble and expense of taking it down. 

" Wm. Iuvine." 

1" Orders. Fort Pitt, September 28, 1783. Lieutenant John Mahon is 
appointed agent to settle the accounts of the troops of the garrison with the 
auditor at Philadelphia and to distribute the certiiicates to the individuals ; 
each man will, previous to receiving his furlough, inform Mr. Mahon where he 
means to reside next winter, in order to know where will be most convenient 
to advertise them to assemble, for a 6nal adjustment of their accounts. The 
officers present will give him all necessary assistance, and before they depart 
render him accounts of clothing issued to the men. He is also to call on Lieu- 
tenant Reed for a settlement for the time he acted as paymaster, and all 
others concerned." 

"Orders. Fort Pitt, September 30, 1783. Captain John Finley will re- 
main in command at this post with the detachment already formed for that 
purpose until the arrival of the new garrison. Lieutenant [John] Mahon will 
also remain. All other officers have leave of absence as soon as they furnish 
Mr. Mahon with necessary vouchers and accounts to enable him to proceed to 
a hquidation of the accounts of the troops, agreeably to his appointment." 

The following was dated Fort Pitt, Oct. 1, 1783: "By a resolution of con- 
gress dated July 4, 1783, the paymaster general is authorized and empowered 
to settle, and appoint persons finally to adjust, all accounts whatsoever be- 
tween the United States and the officers and soldiers of the army. Being 
requested by him to appoint an agent who should examine and receive the 
vouchers of such persons whose accounts are connected with this settlement 
of the difierent detachments constituting this garrison, yon are hereby author- 
ized by virtue of the powers vested iu John Pierce, Esq., paymaster general, 



Appendix 31. Jf.S3 



This gentleman has charge of all the stores and will deliver 
them with returns to you. lie is well informed of all mat- 
ters necessary for you to know relative to the post and has 
my orders also to communicate some private ideas by way of 
advice, which I hope will be taken as intended (friendship for 
a brother ofiicer). 

Inclosed you have a copy of an extract from a letter of the 
secretary at war addressed to me dated the loth inst.^ 



LIII. — Captain Maebury to Irvine.^ 

l-'iTTSBURGH, Octobev 28, 1783. 
Sir: — On ray arrival at this post I received your letter of 
the 1st instant. I am exceedingly obliged to you for your 
friendly advice through Captain Finley^ and will strictly 
adhere to it. I shall always be ready to give Mr. Mahon * all 
the aid and assistance in my power.^ 

by the honorable the continental congress to call to account such regimental 
paymasters whether they be actually in service or discontinued, and demand 
such papers as you may judge requisite for your sufficient information, of per- 
sons possessed of them. 

"For your transactions on this occasion, provided they be agreeable to the 
existing resolves of congress, this shall be your warrant. 

"Wm. Irvine, B. Gen'l. 

"Lieutenant John Mahon, 2d Penn'a Regfc." 

' Irvine should have written " 15th ult," See Jackson to Irvine, September 
15, 1783, p. 195. 

' This letter was directed to Irvine at Carlisle. 

^ Captain John Finley. See previous letter. 

■^ Lieut. John Mahon (ante, p. 422, note 1). 

'"We have long been puzzled," wrote Neville B. Craig in January, 1847 
("The Olden Time," Vol. II, p. 48), "to know why the street which runs 
right by our dweUing to the Alleghany river, was called Marbury street [now, 
1882, Third street]. We have often made inquiries of old residents, but 
never until within a short time got any information. Judge Wilkins, a few 
days ago, informed us that an application had been made to him to prepare 
the papers to procure from government some arrears of pay or pension due to 
an old soldier. Upon examining the necessary documents, he discovered that 
the soldier had belonged to the company of a Captain Marbury, and that he 
was discharged from the service at Fort Pitt, in June, 1784." 



INDEX. 



Albert, G. Dallas, 176, 177. 

"Alleghany," how to spell, 136. 

Allison, Col. James, 410. 

Amberson, Wni., 152. 

Arbuckle, Capt. Matthew, 14, 

Ashcraft, Sergeant John, 324. 

Audebert, Philip, 148. 

Augusta county, Va., 4. 

Bailey, Francis, 128, 129. 

Bayard, Lieut.-Col. Stephen, 41, 54, 68, 

74, 75, 108, 142, 148, 159, 187, 320, 

340, 350, 357, 390, 408, 410, 411, 

412, 414. 
Beall, Capt. Robt., 37, 124, 328, 379. 
Beard, Col. Geo., 330. 
Beckett, Capt. Joseph, 324. 
Biggs, Capt. Benj., 120, 352. 
Biggs, Capt. John, 299, 343. 
Blaine, Alex., 211. 
Blaine, Ephraim, 209, 210, 220, 221, 

407. 
Blaine, James G., 408. 
Block houses: Carnaban's, 323, 324; 

Rice's, 313; Rook's, 161. 
Blue Jacket, a Shawanese chief, 332, 

333. 
Blue Licks, battle of, 333. 
Board of War, letters to, from Gen. 

Irvine, 157-165. 
Boggs, Capt. John, 312. 
Boggs, James, 264. 
Boundary troubles, 4, 34, 36, 64, 80. 
Brackenridge, H. H., 126, 128, 129, 

304, 384. 
Braddock's road, 1, 177 . 
Brady, Capt. Samuel, 41, 74, 88, 112, 

134, 159, 319. 336, 350. 
Braut (Thayendanegea), Capt. Joseph, 

55, 110, 230. 
Brenton, James, 122, 365. 



Brodhead, Col. Daniel, 22, 23, 34, 35, 

36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 49, 

51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 58, 62, 74, 75, 76, 

83, 97, 103, 110, 170, 193, 194, 304, 

340. 
Brown, Thomas, 372. 
Bryson, Lieut. Samuel, 111, 146, 360, 

413. 
Bull, Joseph, 236, 341, 342, 362. 
Burkhart, John, 418. 
Butler, Capt. Edward, 357. 
Butler, Col. Richard, 96, 97, 98, 168, 

178, 199, 356, 397. 
Butler, Lieut.-Col. Wm., 97. 
Butler, Maj. Thomas, 357. 
Butler's Rangers, 305. 
Caldwell, Capt. Wra., 122, 127, 305, 

332, 333, 363, 370. 371, 378. 
Callender, Anne (Mrs. Wm. Irvine), 

65, 340-348, 357. 
Callender, Mrs. Robert, 340, 350. 
Callender, Robert, 65. 
Campbell, Capt. Thomas, 46. 
Campbell, Col. Charles, 104, 324, 331, 

357. 
Campbell, Lieut.-Col. Richard, 27, 

38. 
Canada, conquest of, 1. 
Canon, John, 204, 205, 206, 241, 284. 
Carleton, Gen. Sir Guy, 124, 128, 135, 

337, 410, 
Carmichael, Maj. James, 105, 285. 
Carmichael, John, 285. 
Carnahan, Col. John, 210, 257, 258, 

.260. 
Carpenter, John, 100, 101, 102, 197, 

240, 243. 
Ca,tfish (Catfish Camp), 280, 303, 306, 

308, 314, 316, 330, 392, 405. 
Chief-with-one-Eye, 371. 



J^2G 



Index. 



Clark, Geo. Rogers, 14, 15, 53 et seq., 
76, 77, 83, 139, 154, 155, 229, 230, 
231, 259, 271, 273, 275, 332, 333, 
368, 371, 377, 378, 392, 393, 394, 
396, 398, 400, 401, 414. 

Clark, Capt. John, 31, 74, 88, 108, 159, 
194, 351, 352. 

Clark, Ensign John, killed, 37. 

Conolly, Dr. John, 71. 172. 

Cook, Col. Edward, 104, 248, 253, 282, 
295, 296, 310, 317, 320, 321, 323, 
324-327, 329, 331, 334, 335, 336, 
338, 339, 345, 405. 

Cook, Paden, 330. 

Cornstalk, a Shawanese chief, 14. 

Coshocton Campaign, 53, 305. 

Coverly, Col. Wm., 291. 

Cracraft, Maj. Charles, 230. 

Craig, Maj. Isaac, 48, 55, 56, 76, 77, 
88, 108, 113, 130, 137, 138, 139, 140, 
174, 231, 343, 350, 351, 396, 406, 408, 
410, 414. 

Craig, Neville B., 78, 139,423. 

Craig, Thomas, 97. 

Crockett, Col. Joseph, 55. 

Crawford, Col. Wm., 75, 107, 114- 
117, 118, 119, 122, 123, 125, 127, 
128, 131 etseq., 174, 244, 246, 247, 
249, 250, 274, 278, 2S9, 291, 292, 
293, 294, 305, 332, 363, 364, 366, 
367, 370, 374, 375, 376, 378, 387. 

Crawford, Hanna, 131. 

Croghan, Col. Geo., 170. 

Croghan, Maj. Wm., 292, 345, 418, 
419, 420. 

Crooks, Col. Thomas, 105, 297, 302, 
308, 316, 320. 

Crumrine, Boyd, 396, 404, 

Cummins, John, 411. 

Davies, Col. Wm., 272-276, 292. 

Davis, Col. Benjamin, 295, 325, 327, 

330. 
De Peyster, Lieut. -Col. A. S., 7, 51, 60, 
77, 82, 124, 135, 230, 358, 369, 370, 
371, 372,373, 374, 378, 414, 415, 416, 
417, 420. 



Detroit, an expedition against, 21 et 
seq. ; deferred, 23; Clark's expedition 
against and its failure, 53 et seq.; 
why the post should be demolished, 
79, 83; supposed plan against, 125. 
Dewantale, an Indian, 371. 
Dickinson, Pres't John, 188; letters 
to, from Gen. Irvine, 260, 261 ; 
letters to Irvine, 262-265; elected 
Pres't of Sup. Ex. Council of Pa., 
260, 409. 
District of West Augusta, 24, 272. 
Dixon, Jeremiah, 248. 
Dod, Thaddeus, 307. 
Dougherty, Benard, 348. 
Douglass, Ephraim, 57, 188, 252, 388, 

391, 394, 413, 414, 415, 417. 
Draper, LL.D., Lyman C, 364. 
Duncan, David, 81, 152, 154, 159, 161, 
165, 202, 208, 217, 239, 252, 254, 
3 47, 348, 352,381, 412. 
Dunlavy, Francis, 10, 27, 28. 
Dunmore, Lord, 115, 170. 
Dunmore's War, 115, 278, 341, 349, 

363. 
Edgar, James, 105, 284. 
Eels, John, 107, 108, 120. 
Egle, Dr. Wm. H., 177, 284, 285, 853- 

355. 
Elliott, Andrew, 69. 
Elliott, Capt. Matthew, 17, 58, 60, 

127, 305, 332, 341, 369. 
Emes, Capt., 223. 
Emerson, John, 198. 
Enoch, Col. Henry, 308. 
Evans, Col. John, 24, 266, 272, 275, 

356, 378, 380, 382. 
Fincastle county, Va., 4. 
Finley, Capt. J. L., 159, 353. 
Finley, Capt. John, 159, 353, 422, 

423. 
Finley, Maj. Samuel, 85. 
Fisher, Myndert, 72, .82. 
Forbes Road, 3, 176, 177. 
"Foreman's defeat," 13. 
Foreman, Charles, 329, 330. 



Index. 



Ifil 



Forts: Armstrong, 13, 41; Andrew 
Donnelly's, 19; Crawford, 39; 
"Dunmore," 80, 115; Duquesne, 
8, 71, 171; Fincastle, S, 278; Hand, 
24, 39; Henry, 10, 13, 35, 270, 278, 
397; Jackson's, 298; Laurens, 28, 
32, 36, 37, 38; Le Boeuf, 110, 111; 
Ligonier, 41, 176, 254; McTntosh, 
26, 35, 78. 79; Miller, 251; Nelson, 
144, 231; Pitt, 2, 71, 78, 80; Presq' 
Isle, 111; Schlosser, 143; Randolph, 
10, 13, 35, 40; Richard Wells', 297; 
Venango, 110, 111; Wallace, 29. 

Fowler, Alexander, 62, 152, 159, 166. 

Freman, John, 315; 395. 

Gaddis, Col- Thomas, 122, 365. 

Caidner, Joseph, 94. 

Gibson, Col. John, 22, 28, 31, 42, 56, 
57, 67, 71, 73, 74, 85, 89, 95, 103, 
108, 117, 131, 153, 165, 241, 267, 
282, 285, 322, 337, 340, 344, 349, 
351, 353, 362. 

Gibson, George, letter Lo Irvine, 353. 

Girty, George, 55. 

Girty, James, 25, 55. 

Girty, Simon, 17, 31, 47, 55, 126, 127, 
293, .332, 342, -376, 418. 

Girty, Thomas, 291 , 

Gist, Christopher, 78. 

Glenn, David, 59. 

" Gnadenhuetten affair," the, 67, 99, 
127, 236-239, 240, 241, 242, 282, 
288, 289, 361, 372, 373, 374, 377. 

Gordon, James, 120, 253. 

Grant, a British captain, 374. 

Greene, Gen. Nathaniel, 178, 185. 

Haldimand, Gen. Fred'k, 124, 135, 
230, 373. 

Half King, a Wyandot chief, 18, 61. 

Hamilton, Lieut.-Gov. Henry, 7, 9, 77, 
392. 

Hanks, Wm., 405. 

Hannastown, 4, 161, 177, 250, 251, 
252, 253, 254, 270, 303, 336, 350, 
381. 383, 386, 394. 
Hanna, Robert, 176. 



Hand, Brig.-Gen. Edward, 10, 11, 20, 
22, 71, 116. 

Hardin, Lieut. John, 43, 152. 

Hardin, Maj. John, 274. 

Harmar, Lieut.-Col. Josiah, 197, 198, 
199. 

Harrison, Col. Benj., 327, 328, 329, 
330, 331, 379, 380. 

Harrison, Col. Wm., 107, 127, 294, 
376, 377. 

Harrison, Gov. Benj., 76, 266, 268, 
269, 270, 401. 

Hart, Barney, 225. 

Hay, Lieut. John, 281, 343. 

Hays, Christopher, 94, 161, 255, 322, 
327, 329, 330, 338, 402, 404, 405. 

Hazen, Brig.-Gen. Moses, regiment 
of, 133, 134, 181, 183, 258, 397. 

Heckewelder, John, 51. 

HiUigas, Michael, 148, 212, 213. 

Hinds, John, 72. 

Hogdon, Samuel, 222-224. 

Hoge, John, 322. 

Howell, Jacob S., 225, 228. 

Hutthagle, Michael, 81, 161, 165, 167, 
201, 204, 208, 240, 250, 253, 254, 
263, 281, 383. 

Hughes, Capt. John, 226, 287, 288, 
310, 311, .330, 343. 

Humpton, Col. Richard, 96, 97, 235. 

Hunter, Robert, an Oneida chief, 169, 

Ilutchins, Thomas, 78. 

" Indiana," Indian land grant, 295. 

Indian Moses, 88. 

Indians: Chippewas, 333; Delav/ares, 
9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 25, 42, 43, 51, 52, 
58, 90, 100, 113, 122, 124, 135, 179, 
333, 349, 369, 374, 377; "Lake," 
122; Mingoes, 5, 13, 14, 18, 45, 48, 
122, 124, .333, 341, 369; Monseys, 
16, 58, 113, 124,333; "Moravians," 
27, 59,60, 61, 67, 90, 91. 99, 101, 
106, 236, 237, 238, 241-243, 245, 
250, 282, 288, 289, 293, 294, 305, 
342, 343, 344; Ottawas, 2, 91, 113, 
333; " Pluggy's-town," 9, 11; Shaw- 



^28 



Index. 



anese, 5, 7, 10, 13, 14, 25, 45, 58, 
91, 113, 124, 259, 292, 332, 333, 341, 
342, 349, 369, 374; Six Nations, 42, 
172; Senecas, 42, 349; Wyandots, 
13, 18, 45, 48, 58, 113, 122, 124, 135, 
333. 
Indian treaty, 25. 

Irvine, Mrs. Wm., 65, 340-348, 357. 
Irvine, Callander, 341, 346, 348, 422. 
Irvine, Brig. -Gen. Wm., 64, 65-70; 
correspondence of, 71-152, 153-423. 
Irvine, Dr. Wm. A., 341. 421. 
Irwin, John, 200, 219, 259. 
Jack, Capt. Matthew, 46, 235, 384. 
Jackson, W., 195. 
Johnson, Lieut. Richard, 330. 
Johnson, Guy, 63. 
Johnson, Sir John, 110, 143. 
Jones, Lieut., 236. 
Kilibuck, a Delaware, 10. 
KiUbuck, Jr., John, 25, 31, 106. 
Knight, Dr. John, 117, 122, 123, 125, 
126, 128, 129, 249, 363, 365, 376, 377. 
Knox, Brig. -Gen. Henry, 96. 
Laurel Hill, 90. 
Lee, H., 262, 263. 
Leet, Daniel, 122. 
Leeth (Leith), John, 7, 304. 
Leinbach, Fred'k, 237, 23S. 
LeVillier, Francis, 305, 368. 
Lewis, Andrew, 25. 
Lincoln, Maj.-Gen. Benj., 81, 157, 

166-193, 212, 353, 419. 
Loyd, Capt. James, 351. 
Lochry, Col. Archibald, 24, 55, 56, 77, 

154, 229, 230, 233. 
Logan, Col. Benj., 401. 
Logan, the Mingo Chief. 5, 283, 844. 
Lowrey,^Col. Alex., 92, 264, 353, 354. 
Lyon, John, 119. 

Magaw, Col. Robert, 255, 256. 
Mahon, Lieut. John, 422, 423. 
Malott, Catharine, 47. 
Marbury, Capt. Joseph, 189, 192, 195, 
199, 421, 422, 423. 



Marshel, Col. James, 50, 67, 81, 84 
85, 106, 239, 240, 245, 246, 248, 
277-320, 331, 338, 361, 365, 390. 

Marshall, Col. John, 302, 308, 311, 
316. 

Martin, Capt. Hugh, 331. 

Maryland corps, 39, 40, 48, 164. 

Masonic Fraternity in the West, 172. 

Mason and Dixon's Line, 82, 248, 249, 
402, 403, 404. 

Mason, Charles, 248. 

McClean, Alex., 248, 249, 268, 294, 
295, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 337, 

403. y 

McClelland, Maj. John, 122, 123, 365, 

371. 
McCleery, Col. Wm., 279, 391. 
McClure, John, 262. 263. 
McColloch, Ebenezer, 312. 
McCollocb, Maj. Samuel, 52. 306, 391. 
McDonald, Maj. Angus, 115, 278. 
McGruder, Capt. Hez., 329, 330. 
Mcintosh, Brig. -Gen. Lachlan, 20, 

26, 27. 28, 33, 116. 
McKean, Thomas, 153. 
McKee, Alex., 16. 17, 29, 126, 230, 

332, 333, 342. 370. 
McKoe, Capt. Wm., 18. 
" McKee 's Rocks," 78. 
McLean, Gen. Allan, 415, 416. 
Meason, Isaac, 234, 235. 
Miles, Samuel, 163, 217-221. 
Miller, Gavin, 236. 
"Mohawk Pluggy," 9. 
Montour, Andrew, 169. 
Montour, Madame, 169. 
Montour, John, 52, 168, 169. 
Moore, Capt. Thomas, 124, 325, 328, 

379. 
Moorhead, Capt. Samuel, 11, 13, 39, 

46. 
Moore, Pres't Wm., 233-258. 
Morgan, Col. Geo., 9, 10, 17. 
Morris, Robert, 81, 84, 95, 109, 145, 

161, 166, 189, 195, 200-213, 221, 

222, 258, 325, 326, 327, 40S. 
Moylan, John, 178, 225-227. 



Index. 



Jf29 



Muhlenberg, Brlg.-Gen. P., 419. 

Neill, Will., 346. 

Nelson, Thomas, 76. 

Neville, Am-lia, 406. 

Neville, Capt. John, 8, 9, 71, 406. 

Neville, Joseph, 249. 

" New state scheme," 64, 196-199. 

Nicholson, Joseph, 152, 363. 

Nicholson, Thomas, 122, 363. 

Ohio County, Va., 24. 

Ormsby, John, 152, 294, 295, 296, 297, 

347. 
" Pan-handle," 272, 297. 
Parker, Col. Wm., 279, 297. 319, 410. 
Parkison, Capt. Thomas, 203, 204, 

205, 206, 20S, 209, 287, 296, 308, 

896. 
Peachy, Col. Wm., 116. 
Pentecost, Dorsey, 94, 2-32, 235, 241, 

242, 284, 292, 322, 405, 410. 
"Pet Indian," 384-390. 
Phillips, Col. Theoph., 330. 
Phillips, John, 111, 112, 172, 360. 
Pittsburgh, beginning of, 3; early 

growth, 4. 
Pierce, John, 146, 147,211,214-216 

353, 
Pluggy, the Mohawk, 9. 
Pluggy's-town Indians, 9, 11. 
Plumer, George, 354. 
Poe, Adam, 61, 277. 
Poe, Andrew, 61, 277, 
Point Pleasant, battle of, 5, 
Pollock, Maj. Wm., 302, 303, 309, 

365. 
Polke, Maj. Edmond, 590, 300. 
Porter, Sergeant, 338. 
Postlethwait, Mr., 223. 
Potter, Gen. James, 255, 336, 396. 
Procter, Col. Thomas, 406. 
Proctor, John, 234, 235. 
Pumroy, Col. John, .324, 325, 330. 
Quebec bill, 136. 
Rawlings, Col. Moses, corps of, 39, 40, 

48, 164. 
Bedick, David, 265. ' 

Reed, Pres't, 230. 



Redstone-old-fort, 15. 

Reno, Wm., 129. 

Ritchie, Col. Matthew, 279, 806. 

Rogers, David, 44, 45. 

Rocher (Roche) de Bout, 93, 355. 

Rose, Lieut. John, 117, 121, 122, 125, 

138, 145, 147, 148, 151, 1^5, 186, 
1S7, 195, 212, 213, 215, 247, 258, 
290, 292, 319, 335, 346, 348, 350, 
364, 367, 406, 407, 412, 419, 422. 

Ross, Alex., 332. 

Sample, Samuel, 31, 86, 152, 154, 159, 
219. 

Sandusky Plains, 355, 866. 

Sandusky, expeditions against, pro- 
posed, 11, 57, 74; are abandoned, 11, 
61, 74; a third proposed and given 
up, 282,359; Crawford's expedition 
against, see Crawford, Col. Wm.; a 
fifth expedition, projected, 123 et 
seq.; laid aside, 134 et seq. 

Sappington, John, 344. 

Schebosh, Rev., 237, 341, 362. 

Scott, Maj., 105. 

Scott, Thomas, 100, 322. 

Seidel, Rev. Nathaniel, 238, 289, 343, 
361. 

Seitz, Andrew Adam, 217, 218. 

Seneca Indians, Brodhead's expedi- 
tion against, 42. 

Shepherd, Col. David, 24, 52, 105, 193, 
266, 302, 318, 356, 380, 409. 

Sinn, Andrew, 330. 

Slover, John, 122, 123, 127, 128, 129, 
304, 334, 377. 

Small, John, 350. 

Smallman, Thomas, 170. 

Smith, Devereux, 152. 

Smith, Col. James, 80. 

Snake, Capt., a Shawanese chief, 369, 
370. 

Springer, Capt. Uriah, 106, 107, 108, 

139, 851, 419. 
Springer, Zadock, 330. 
"Squaw Campaign," the, 15, 16. 
St. Clair, Arthur, 66, 97. 



Jf30 



Index. 



Steed, Thomas, 111, 112, 119, 172, 

360. 
Stevens, Gen. Edward, 269, 393, 394. 
Stewart, Walter, 97. 
Stokely, Capt. Nehemiah, 46, 330. 
Stokely, Thomas. 230. 
Sullivan, Daniel, 396, 393. 
Sullivan, Maj.-Gen. John, 42, 110. 
Surplus, Robert, 17. 
Swearingen, Capt. Andrew, 308. 
Tannehill, John, 146, 214, 215, 351, 

352, 353. 
Taylor, Henry, 404. 
Thayendanegea (Capt. Joseph Brant), 

55, 110, 230. 
Thompson, A., 230. 
"Triangle," the, 69. 
Turney, Lieut. John, 368, 369. 
Vallandighcyia, Lieut.-Col. Geo., 104, 

279, 288, 289, 308. 
Vernon, Maj. Fred'k, 33, 38, 75. 
Virginia, boundaries of, 7. 
Wallace, Geo., 219. 
Wallace, Robert, 99, 101, 240, 318. 
Walls, Maj., 392, 402. 
Walter, Wm., 322. 
Ward, Maj. Edward, 71, 170, 171, 360. 
Warring, Thomas, 330. 
Washington County, Pa., 50. 
Washington, Gen. George, 10, 20, 34, 

62, 64; correspondence of, 71-152. 



Wayne, Brig. -Gen. Anthony, 97. 

Weiss, L., 238. 

West Augusta, District of, 24, 272. 

"West Augusta Regiment," II, 75. 

Western Department, extent of, 75. 

Western Border War, 7 et seq.; IZet 
seq.; 35 et seq. 

Westmoreland County, 4. 

White Eyes, a Delaware, 25. 

White, Maj. John, 289. 

Willard, Mrs. Mary, 384. 

Williamson, Col. David, 67, 99. 100, 
101, 104, 121, 122, 125, 236, 237, 
240, 244, 245, 282, 286, 288, 297, 
305, 308, 311, 316, 318, 319, 320, 
364, 365, 366, 367, 374, 377. 

"Williamson's Expedition," 99, 236, 
244, 288. 

Yv^ilson, Capt., a Delaware, 52, 103. 

Willy, Capt. Hugh, 395, 399. 

Wilson, Lieut.-Col. Samuel, 275, 330. 

Winganund, a Delaware, 51. 

Woods, James, Journal of, 10. 

Wuibert, Lieut.-Col., 108, 112, 113, 
130, 170. 

Yohogania County, Va., 24. 

Yorktown, siege of, 71, 73. 

Zane, Ebenezer, -390, 397, 409. 

Zane, Jonathan, 122. 

Zeisberger, Rev. David, 58, 59, 63. 

Zingly, Capt., 223. 



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